Enrique Rivera (b. 1988, Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a rising multidisciplinary artist whose practice seamlessly integrates contemporary painting, structural design, and psychological insight. With academic training in civil engineering, fine arts, and clinical psychology, Rivera creates deeply resonant works that are as intellectually grounded as they are emotionally evocative.

His paintings transcend the purely visual—layering acrylic skins, textiles, and sculptural elements to produce richly tactile, dimensional surfaces that invite close and sustained engagement. These “material hugs,” as Rivera describes them, serve as intimate expressions of human connection, healing, and emotional resilience.

Since 2012, Rivera’s work has been featured in over thirty exhibitions across Puerto Rico, including biennials and institutional venues such as the Museo de Arte Francisco Oller, the Senatorial Gallery of Puerto Rican Art, and the Ponce Public Library. His solo exhibitions at the Ponce History Museum and the Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores in San Juan mark significant milestones in his evolution toward a conceptually mature and technically refined practice.

Rivera has received multiple awards and public grants, underscoring both his growing recognition and the cultural resonance of his work. His art is distinguished by its narrative depth, innovative use of materials, and the ability to evoke profound emotional presence.