NEW YORK — More than 50 people attended the Aug. 9 opening of “A Human Being, An Artist,” an exhibition of paintings by Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera, who has spent the last 32 years in U.S. prisons on trumped-up charges of “seditious conspiracy.” For 12 of those years he was locked up in solitary confinement.

Sery Colón, Eric Aviles and Jesús Papoleto Meléndez read poems about the fight for independence for Puerto Rico and to free political prisoners in the U.S. Salsa musician Choco Orta performed a cappella.

López was denied parole last year. Graciano Matos, a leader of the Boricua Human Rights Network, announced that more activities are being planned to demand President Barack Obama pardon López.

The exhibit, sponsored by Casa de las Américas and Boricua Human Rights Network, will be open through Sept. 8 on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. here at Casa de las Américas, 182 E. 111th St. Above left, López’s painting of Ismael Rivera, the legendary son singer of Puerto Rico.

— SETH GALINSKY