Cusco has a particular way of speaking to you. I don't know if it's the altitude forcing you to slow down, the dry Andean cold waking up every pore of your skin, or that inescapable feeling of walking atop centuries of living history.

I have the privilege of traveling to this magical land every year. I spend a whole month there, allowing my creative process to absorb its energy and art. However, it was during my 2025 trip that a specific visit changed my artistic perspective and gave birth to this artwork.

The Inkariy Museum: An Encounter with the Other Side of Death

During my stay, I visited the Inkariy Museum, a fascinating space that preserves the essence of pre-Columbian cultures. I had the honor of receiving a private tour guided by one of its founders, the master Edilberto Mérida.

There, I discovered a revealing vision: unlike the Western concept, for the Incas, death was not an end, but a rebirth.

Edilberto explained the symbology behind their funeral rituals:

• The Fetal Position: They buried their loved ones in this position because they were preparing to be born again, just as we come into the world.
• The Offerings: The departed were sent off with their most precious objects in an atmosphere of celebration, not tragedy.
• The Color Red: This color was sacred and vital in this context, symbolizing the sunset (the death of the sun) that inevitably precedes the sunrise (life).

The Incas had absolute certainty that there was life after death. Upon returning to my Airbnb—transformed into my temporary art studio in the Andes—I felt an urgent need to capture this revelation. Thus, my work "Cuna Ancestral" (Ancestral Cradle) was born.

Painting the Cycle, Not the End

Facing the blank canvas, I had a clear premise: I wanted no sad or mournful colors. Death and rebirth are processes of fire, of pure energy and transmutation. That is why the canvas was flooded with this intense red.

Hidden Symbology in the Artwork

If you look closely at "Cuna Ancestral," you will notice details that narrate this spiritual journey:

1. The Seed (Bottom Figure): In the lower section, you will see a figure in a fetal position. It is not defeated, nor hiding; it is resting. It is a human seed waiting beneath the earth, ready to sprout.

2. The Golden Mask: The figure is embraced by the energy of its ancestors, represented by the mask. In Andean culture, these elements are essential to denote power and status, but in my work, they act as guardians and portals between dimensions.

3. The Spiritual Light: The gold and yellow tones are not merely aesthetic ornaments; they represent the light guiding that small soul in its transition toward the new dawn.

Between Textures and Layers: Mixed Media

For this 95cm x 86cm piece, I chose mixed media on canvas. I needed the work to have physical "body." The history of Cusco is built on layers (Pre-Inca, Inca, Colonial, Modern), and I wanted the painting to transmit that same tactile, profound quality.

It is a size I consider ideal: large enough to envelop you in its vibrant red atmosphere, yet intimate enough to feel a personal connection in any space within your home.

Connect with the Artwork

"Cuna Ancestral" is more than a painting; it is a reminder that every end is a beginning.

If you feel a connection with this message of rebirth and want to see how the golden strokes interact with the red background in high resolution, I invite you to explore the work in detail.

"Cuna Ancestral" - Mixed media on canvas, 95cm x 86cm