GOCES PACÍFICO

Description

Hello!

My name is Juan Esteban Quijano Castro.

Introduction

How are you? This is my first project at RE@CH, and I hope you like it.

My project is inspired by Afro-Colombian culture, as well as Afro and indigenous cultures around the world. It seeks to highlight their cultural richness, beliefs, history, efforts, values, and importance in our modern world.

Content

The idea came from a dynamic activity at the club, in which we were invited to express, through illustration, collage, pixel art, or another artistic technique, the importance of Afro-Colombian culture and indigenous culture in the world.

Visible at first glance:

The illustration uses warm colors to express harmony, inner fire, browns that represent the earth, and yellow that refers to the sun, as they are sources of life and energy, as well as being very important elements for these cultures.

Yellow: Represents the sun, light, and hope, which are fundamental in dances, celebrations, and rites of connection with our ancestors.

Orange: It shows us fire, warmth, and meeting places, where knowledge is transmitted and the memory of our ancestors is kept alive.

Browns: They connect us to the earth and its importance as mother.

GOCES PACÍFICO: (NOT A MISTAKE) This was a creative idea I had to better represent the Pacific, with an expression of joy and pride. GOCES is a way of reading the word gozar, which means to enjoy the music, dance, and joy that fill its inhabitants. I seek to convey the positive energy of Afro-Colombian and Pacific culture, as well as to show a distinct and creative identity of saying “We are Pacific.” I am from a place called TECNOCENTRO SOMOS PACÍFICO, and I was inspired by this name to create “GOCES PACÍFICO.” There, there are no prejudices of any kind, and everyone is accepted. That inspired me to show where I come from and who I am.

Surroundings:

The Afro and indigenous cultures of the world are strongly linked to nature and its preservation. That is why I decided to place leaves respecting the warm colors of the Pacific and expressing its beauty to the fullest. The dots represent both the stars in space and the souls of our ancestors.

The bushes and plants are placed to create depth and draw attention to the center of the illustration, which is the woman separated into three parts.

Black Lives Matter: I included it because there was an anti-racism movement around the world, and I thought it would be a good idea to pay tribute to Trayvon Martin.

Yellow side/top:

The river: Represents a source of life and spiritual connection. It is seen as a path where the dreams and ambitions of our ancestors travel. It is also used for fishing, water consumption, transportation, ceremonies, and many legends are born from it.

The candle: Represents the soul, the spiritual world, and the connection we have with our ancestors. It is used in rituals for protection or guidance, and also in wakes as a symbol of resistance and hope.

The sun: Refers to God, its creator, and is its source of heat, fertility, and life. The sun has also been the central focus of these cultures, signifying life, strength, and joy in their folklore.

The clenched fist: It is a source of resistance, showing us that indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombian culture are characterized by being strong, having energy and vitality to defend themselves, their people, and their rights as humans.

Bonfire: In indigenous culture, the bonfire signifies a gathering place where stories full of knowledge, adventures, and rituals are told. In Afro-Colombian culture, it also signifies unity and resistance.

Light orange side/middle part:

Chains: This is a direct symbol of the slavery and oppression of freedom and rights that our people suffered at that time. Of course, the fact that they are worn or broken refers to their struggle for freedom and resistance.

AFRO: This is the title of the main theme of the work. I wrote it this way, describing my way of being, adding a softened tone and trying to demonstrate the ancient art of these cultures with a modern and gentle touch.

Orange side/lower part:

Dots and lines are very common in traditional hairstyles, especially in women's and men's braids. These techniques helped them throughout history; I think the purpose they gave to this type of hairstyle is genius, as it was used to send messages, store seeds, and even mark escape routes during slavery.

Roots: They represent the connection of these peoples with Mother Earth, since they spend most of their lives in the jungle, hand in hand with Mother Earth, protecting it from tourists or people who do not value it. It can also

represent heritage and the way in which culture can be kept alive.

Hoe: A tool used for planting, it symbolizes union with the earth.

Hammer: Symbolizes the struggle and construction of a just and free life, as well as craftsmanship and reconstruction after resisting with strength and passion.