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Inspired by a trip into Achuar territory, two Chilean artists have drawn from their experiences in the jungle and painted a beautiful mural outside of the Fundación Pachamama (FP) office in Quito, Ecuador.
Maria and Simon recently traveled into Achuar territory with some of the crew from FP to help install the first round of solar panels at Tiinkias Ecolodge. While there, they were inspired by Achuar culture, particularly the aspects held by women.
Observing Daily Life in Achuar Territory
The minga project of installing solar panels for the Ecolodge resonated with Maria and Simon’s strong connection to the preservation of Nature, flora, fauna, and the strong indigenous roots that stem from this continent we call home.
“When we went to Tiinkias and met the people who live there, we were inspired by how the families connect their day-to-day lives with Nature - the living jungle.
“We were especially touched by how the Achuar women support the families, their husbands, the community. The men and children were talkative and outgoing, and we spent the most time with them working on the minga. At times, we felt it was more difficult to connect with the women because they were the most reserved, and this touched us too.”
Honoring Achuar Women
“When we left the jungle, we kept thinking about the Achuar women, and decided to paint a mural to honor them and Mother Nature. And we were grateful to paint in a place where there is great appreciation for the Achuar and indigenous people, and where it will be observed by people for whom the living jungle is the core of their work.
“We wanted to give the Achuar woman the importance that she has in society and for preserving their customs and rituals, her wisdom, and her support for her family. That is why she is carrying the forest in her bundle, patterned with the galaxy. She is caring for the jungle that surrounds her.”
Bringing Achuar Culture into Public Space
Both Maria and Simon are street artists in Chile, and are interested in the social aspects of painting and other art that don’t make it to the museums or galleries, but is available for everyone to see.
Maria loves to paint landscapes in addition to art installations, and Simon’s murals conceptualize Latin American indigenous people, popular carnivals, comida tipica, and other traditions. Together, they use their gift to give back, and express often overlooked social concepts in the most frequented spaces - public places.
Thank you Maria and Simon!
