Colombian artist highlights indigenous culture

“Holes in the Wind” exhibition, hosted by the Embassy of Colombia to Korea, features works by Colombian artist Carlos Jacanamijoy, whose works embody the spirit of the indigenous Inga people of South America, at KF Gallery in Seoul through June 1. Courtesy of Korea Foundation

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Colombian artist Carlos Jacanamijoy presents his vibrant, abstract works embodying the spirit of the indigenous Inga people of South America at the “Holes in the Wind” exhibition at the KF Gallery in central Seoul.

The exhibit, held in collaboration between the Korea Foundation and the Embassy of Colombia to Korea, presents the Colombian artist's works in Korea for the first time. It features some 17 works by Jacanamijoy with the largest one reaching up to 10 meters wide.

Juan Carlos Caiza Rosero, the Colombian ambassador to Korea, took part in the presser of the exhibit on April 22 via video call as he was visiting Colombia with Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun.

Ambassador Caiza noted that this year commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Colombian troops' arrival in Busan during the 1950-53 Korea War.

“We are blood brothers as Colombia sent soldiers to South Korea during the Korean War and now entering a new phase in bilateral relations ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. Korea and Colombia are taking steps together toward sustainable and green growth,” Ambassador Caiza said.

“South Korea and Colombia entered an FTA and have to boost further commercial and cultural exchanges between two countries. Jacanamijoy is an important artist in Colombia as he interprets the culture of Amazon region, which takes up to 50 percent of the country, and I am glad to present the artist who will raise understanding on Colombia.”

Artist Carlos Jacanamijoy

Born in 1964 in Santiago, Putumayo, Jacanamijoy studied at National University of Colombia and La Salle University.

The artist takes inspirations from the abundant nature of Colombia such as the Amazon and the Andean natural region. His father was a shaman and Jacanamijoy spent a long time in nature, communicating with flora and fauna. His experience led to the unique use of bold colors and abstract shapes in his art.

“I remember listening, among lights and shadows, to the cacophony of animals during an overwhelming night in the middle of the jungle. My inspiration is, on one side, my experiences in my studio, on the other, a succession of memories of the jungle in Putumayo. It is this constant trail of memory and dreams passing by in my mind when I am in front of that other window: the empty canvas,” Jacanamijoy once said.

For instance, “Holes in the Wind,” a 2010 painting sharing its title with the exhibit, is inspired by Father Shaman with the Dalai Lama, in which the artist believed that they healed each other by blowing their breath on the other. The painting is Jacanamijoy's interpretation of “a primeval world full of secrets and arcane that rationalist civilization does not reach to understand.”

“This exhibition encompasses my 30 years as an artist, trying to connect with nature through art. I started painting at the age of three to pay my respects to the ancient guardians and share their wisdom. Holes in the Wind captures the moment in which the Dalai Lama met with the Amazonian culture,” the artist said during the presser of the Korean exhibition through a video call.

The artist revealed that he has no sense of smell and the trait led him to be keener about colors.

“Though I studied theories of color at art university, I paint with colors I absorb on a personal level. I write down my memories … and explore the memory to paint,” he said.

The most recent piece on display, “My Garden,” was created during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“There are less and less exchanges between human and nature these days, but the pandemic reminded us to be in close relations with the nature. I hope my works would bring the love for nature and art to Korean audiences,” the artist said.

The exhibit runs through June 1 and admission is available via reservation.

“Holes in the Wind” by Carlos Jacanamijoy / Courtesy of Carlos Jacanamijoy