I will probably never put this on exhibition, but if I had to give it a title, this wall quilt would be called “Homage to Fernando Botero”  which I finished in early 2015.   It now hangs in the bano social in this house, where odd ceiling angles provide the perfect spot – ironically above the loo which Fernando Botero himself is never shy of depicting in the background to a figure when appropriate.

Mike and I are devotees of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero who Wiki introduces as the most recognised and quoted living Latin American artist today, and continues “His signature style, also known as “Boterismo”, depicts people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism  (Abu Grahib drawings and paintings) or humour, depending on the piece.” Just google his name and you’ll find a wealth of images of his sculptures, paintings and drawings – and of the artist himself.

One of my very favourites in the work with humour group – (he has mostly stayed away from political comment via his art)  is his  Mujere Con Pajaro / Woman with Parrot, seen here in my photo of this framed pastel drawing – unfortunately the glass and gallery lighting caused a couple reflections.  (but googling you can find a couple of images, neither of which have good colour)

There is such a lot of wonderful detail in this portrait of a woman –  the dress is gorgeous, her nails and jewellery are meticulous, the parrot is there on her shoulder of course and he’s green, matching her dress.  She’s pouring a drink for herself and whoever is just out of the picture.  The most eye-catching  thing about he, I think, is her turned eye, pun intended …. yet he called it ‘Woman With Parrot’

A couple of years ago we went to a fantastic exhibition here in Montevideo of his  pencil drawn still lifes and portraits, which prompted me to contact a dealer… and I learned I’d need to win the lottery to buy one, and so I will if I ever do!  In the meantime we have to make do with the catalogue of that exhibition, and personal visits to his work whenever the opportunity comes up, for he is widely represented in major museums and collections around the world.

When we visited Colombia in 2014 we found his work everywhere – there are huge bronze sculptures in plazas, gardens and museums, paintings and drawings in art museums, and we even found some delightful small inexpensive small giclees, in an artisan market in the historic city of Cartagena.  We bought a few of them as souvenirs, looking in vain for one of the woman with parrot, but anyway we love the ones we chose to bring home and somehow display.  Instead framing them individually, I eventually decided to ‘frame’ them together in a fabric wall quilt, and hang that.   So it is now installed where we can enjoy some of his art every day, and those of you who are in Montevideo and visit our home occasionally, we hope you’ll enjoy it too!