By Mimi Hassett (Docent Norman Rockwell Museum)
Ecuador is a country with a varied history of tribal cultures and conquest. The country enjoys the equatorial sun with coastal bounties of fish and beaches along with the high elevations of the Andres mountain ranges. This range in geography provides the country with a rich biodiversity in plants, birds, butterflies, and animals. Ecuadorians proudly display their country’s culture and assets in numerous murals around their cities. Here are a few of my favorites and the cities they are located in.
“Going to Market” is an integral aspect of shopping in Ecuador. Everyone makes time to go to market for the fresh vegetables, flowers, meat, baked goods and pretty much anything one may want to find. One mural I found in Cuenca was painted on the side of a building that housed a large city market. In the large mural a viewer can first see three spires of the landmark Cuenca’s Cathedral at the top. Below the spires the artist depicts layers of “homes” and buildings resting on a collection of blue tents and market produce indicating the interdependency of the local residents and businesses on the market enterprises.
Another tribute to market place activity is the placement of tile collection that depicts a spinner/weaver working in her home. Weaving and textile production includes the raising of sheep, llama, and cotton which provide the materials to support a vast home industry of spinning, weaving, and knitting of numerous variety of fiber goods. Many of these items are available in the market or at some of the very fashionable shops that are popping up to accommodate some of the tourists’ trade or relocated expatriates.
In one of the many parks that dotted Cotacachi I found this whimsical tree painting. Parks are a vital component of the Ecuadorian social life. Folks will gather in the parks to escape the midday sun which shines directly overhead, listen to music or political speeches, meet neighbors, or just to relax and people watch. I found this decorative tree painting very entertaining and a fun find.
There are times when the murals recognize prominent Ecuadorians that contribute in special ways to the country. Nina Shunku has been working successfully with the “Pachaysana Project”. This is a project that addresses obstacles that plague almost all small nonprofit organizations. Using micro investments and workshops, basic conflicts in organizational communication and planning are addressed while bringing urban arts programs to hundreds of local community members. Her results over the last 2 years has more than doubled the investments and enabled the project to evolve and expand. Her accomplishments are reflected in a mural on the balcony of a building where dance and art continue to be taught. Notice the hummingbird in the mural reflecting one of the charms in Ecuador.
My favorite was the view of a playful mural right outside my window at the Hotel Victoria (Cuenca). The colorful mural is painted on the wall of a little restaurant (with great baked goods) by a local artist. The image captures and displays the spirited fun of this neighborhood with its many restaurants and evening music venues.
Ecuador is an amazing country. The murals that I have described are just a glimpse of what the country has to offer a visitor. Enjoy….
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