The Narrow Gauge Book Cooperative is pleased to host Denise Zubizarreta for a reading and discussion of her book, Colonial Stockholm Syndrome: Navigating Identity, Loyalty, and Resistance in Puerto Rico on August 22nd at 6pm.
About the Author:
Denise “The Vamp DeVille” Zubizarreta is a dynamic and multifaceted creative force. A neurodivergent mixed media artist working across disciplines, she is also a cultural operations strategist, scholar, and advocate for social justice in the arts. Of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, Denise’s work is a mirror and a platform for underrepresented voices. Through her extensive research, writing, and art, she explores themes of identity, ancestral connections, and the legacies of colonialism, successfully bridging the past and present. Denise holds a BFA in Fine Art from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) and earned her Master’s in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management (MALCM) from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership.
She serves as the Director of Development and Communications for the New Mexico Local News Fund and the Engagement and Development Director at Latina Media Co., where she advocates for equitable media ecosystems and the amplification of Latiné voices in journalism and cultural criticism. Whether through her writing, leadership in arts organizations, or her poignant installations and exhibitions, Denise is committed to creating meaningful connections between art, identity, and social justice. Her work serves as an enduring reminder of the power of creativity to heal, resist, and inspire.
About the Book:
Colonial Stockholm Syndrome: Navigating Identity, Loyalty, and Resistance in Puerto Rico offers a critical examination of Puerto Rico's enduring colonial legacy under both Spanish and American rule. This book explores the profound psychological, political, and social effects of centuries of colonization on Puerto Rican identity, illuminating how the island’s people have been conditioned to navigate complex loyalties and resistances in the face of systemic oppression. Through the innovative framework of Colonial Stockholm Syndrome, Zubizarreta analyzes how Puerto Ricans have historically reconciled their dual loyalties-first to the Spanish Empire and later to the United States- while confronting the ongoing challenges of inequality and dependency. The narrative delves into key moments in Puerto Rican history, from the Spanish colonial era and the struggle for autonomy, to the American occupation beginning in 1898, and the current debates surrounding statehood and independence.
