Pablo Delano's Embajada Booth Highlighted at Expo Chicago 2026

Critic Zara Yost praises the artist's powerful yet playful photography and found object installations.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:35am

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A bold, abstract composition of stark black silhouettes and geometric shapes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the themes of Pablo Delano's art exploring Caribbean history and conflicts.Pablo Delano's layered photography and found objects at Expo Chicago 2026 offer a powerful commentary on the historical exploitation of Puerto Rico and its people.Chicago Today

In a review of the top booths to see at Expo Chicago 2026, critic Zara Yost of New City Art highlighted the work of Puerto Rican artist Pablo Delano, presented by Embajada gallery from San Juan. Delano's photography explores the history and conflicts of Caribbean and Latino communities, which he pairs with found objects to create a layer of levity and irony.

Why it matters

Expo Chicago is one of the premier art fairs in the United States, drawing galleries and artists from around the world. Delano's inclusion in the prestigious Focus section curated by Katie A. Pfohl showcases his unique artistic voice and brings greater attention to the vibrant contemporary art scene in Puerto Rico.

The details

In the Focus section of Expo Chicago, the Embajada gallery from San Juan is presenting the work of 72-year-old Puerto Rican artist Pablo Delano. Delano's photography, such as the piece 'The Sugar Bowl of The World,' captures the historical oppression and exploitation of the Puerto Rican people, which he then disrupts by placing a found sugar bowl in front of the image and filling it with real sugar. This combination of powerful imagery and playful, ironic objects is a hallmark of Delano's practice.

  • Expo Chicago 2026 is taking place from April 10-13, 2026.

The players

Pablo Delano

A 72-year-old Puerto Rican artist known for his photography that explores the history and conflicts of Caribbean and Latino communities, which he pairs with found objects to create layers of meaning.

Embajada

A contemporary art gallery based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that is presenting Pablo Delano's work at Expo Chicago 2026.

Zara Yost

An art critic writing for New City Art who highlighted Pablo Delano's Embajada booth as one of the top five not to miss at Expo Chicago 2026.

Katie A. Pfohl

The curator of the Focus section at Expo Chicago 2026, where Embajada is presenting Pablo Delano's work.

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What they’re saying

“With fewer galleries there's more breadth and opportunity for fluidity and a focus on the artists and their work. There's still a lot to see at Expo, so here's a short list of booths you don't want to miss.”

— Zara Yost, Art Critic

“The historical oppression and exploitation of the people of Puerto Rico is indisputable, and Delano captures it with acuteness and irony.”

— Zara Yost, Art Critic

The takeaway

Pablo Delano's inclusion in the prestigious Focus section of Expo Chicago 2026 highlights the vibrant contemporary art scene in Puerto Rico and the power of his unique artistic voice, which blends powerful photographic imagery with found objects to create layers of meaning around the history and conflicts of Caribbean and Latino communities.