Abya Yala

Abya Yala, which in the Guna language means "land in its full maturity" or "land of vital blood", is the name used by the Native American nation Guna people, that inhabit near the Darién Gap (today North West Colombia and South East Panama) to refer to their section of the American continent since Pre-Columbian times. The term is used by millions of Indigenous peoples of the American continent.

The Mola or Molas is a hand-made textile that forms part of the traditional women's clothing of the indigenous Guna people. I decided to illustrate the American continent using the Mola as inspiration, with its bright colors and intricate designs.

Spiritually they practice feelings and convictions of a transcendentalist type. They consider themselves "Men of Gold" ("Olo Tule"), an essential part of Nature and endowed with special potentialities and privileges. According to their mentality, divinity is expressed in the form of father and mother. Because of this believe I made the portraits of both the guna man and woman appear to golden, as to represent their beliefs.

"Abya Yala"
Acrylic paint on canvas
30" x 24"
2022