When Art Matters

Ohh one thing that I forgot to mention about Quito is the cultural hub that it has become. The arts are important here and it is obvious as music, drama and art is easily and financially accessible to all.

We spent a day visiting two sights that commemorate the work of a local artist. The first was "The Chapel of Man" a gallery Oswaldo Guayasamin had designed to house his paintings. His modern artwork focuses on the human body, mainly hands and faces to depicit the struggles and achievments of people over time. Mainly it is a tribute to Ecuadorians and South American but it also includes work that was inspired by visits to India, Nicaragua, Chile and Africa. The emotion that is evident in each piece is pognient and fierce. His work well thought out and expressive.

The second was a museum that housed the artists collection. When he passed away he donated his home and his collectionsto the people of Ecuador. There were three main sections: Pre- Columbian art (which consisted of pottery, jewellery and items used for rituals) Contemporary art (which was mostly religious and include over 40 different crucifixes) and a best of collection (containing portraits, murals and work that he had done.)

Oswaldo Guayasamin - La Capilla del Hombre