City Girl in Santa Maria, Huila 

Acrylic on Birchwood

Completed: May 4, 2021

Santa Maria, Huila, Colombia 1967. A world away from bustling Bogota, this remote town hummed with a different rhythm, ruled by the whispers of guerrillas and watched over by the local VIPs: the Priest, the Mayor, and the Doctor. Amidst poppy fields bathed in the warm Colombian sun, my mother, the fashionista in high heels, strolled confidently in her new town. Little did she know, the "abuela" cradling me as a 3 month old baby was mistaken for a miniature coffin by the bewildered townsfolk.

Confusion took hold, transforming into a curious procession. Tearful eyes, murmured prayers, flickering candles - a tapestry of life and death woven by a hilarious misunderstanding.

This folk art piece, transcends humor. It celebrates resilience, the blend of cultures that shaped my parents’ lives, and a bygone era where even a simple walk in Santa Maria could spark a poignant misunderstanding.