RETABLO. MY MEMORIES

My Memories Year: 1987 Dimensions: Open: 24 x 63 x 8 cm / Closed: 24 x 31 x 8 cm This retablo is inspired by a song by Ranulfo Fuentes that narrates how a couple of lovers first has a good relationship, but then has conflicts and ends up separated. The man laments this by taking to drink and telling a friend about it. The interior of the left door is painted with floral decoration on a light bluish background; the box presents a transition from light to dark sky toward the left, and the left door has the same floral decoration but on a dark blue background. The narrative through figures also goes from left to right and is represented, first, by the couple together in front of their house, surrounded by carnations. Above them, on the roof of their house, two white birds sit looking at each other. Then they go out walking, probably arguing, with two birds flying side by side above them. Finally, they separate and the man is left devastated on the ground while she walks away; the birds fly in opposite directions above the scene. Below, on the left, we see the man in a tavern drowning his sorrows alongside someone playing guitar. The exterior of the retablo has no decoration; on the back there is an inscription in white letters: "Do not think that time has ended, do not think that I am miserable. Even more, I am he who wants to steal the sun's rays to illuminate my people, and at the same time I want to emerge from the darkness; from my memories. I ask nothing with my art, I simply repeat the words of the song 'My Memories.' But I do ask for more respect for my blood." Edilberto Jiménez Quispe, Santa Ana, February 1987, Ayacucho, Peru.