A mural dubbed, "Land of the Gods" was completed on the Scotia Bank wall in San Ignacio, Cayo. The Mural was done in collaboration with NICH and a brotherhood of artists. The Mural Projects aims to become an esteemed part of the civic landscape of San Ignacio/Santa Elena and a source of inspiration and empowerment to the many that encounter them.
The purpose and reasoning behind the mural is as follows:
Art has an innate ability to unite and heal communities, as well as ignite change; for Art is never silent and cannot be ignored. Art is a life force just as love and hate, war and peace, and is just as powerful. The Mural Project is a community oriented initiative spearheaded by a brotherhood of Cayo based artists namely: Fernando Cruz, Alfonso Galvez, German Figueroa, and Jose V. Guerra-Awe.These artist worked in collaboration with NICH whose mission is to create art that transforms public spaces, not only into works of art, but into pillars of cultural identity.
This brotherhood, forged out of the desire to make a positive impact in the community, also strives to provide a unique way of passing on culture and tradition, to foster, develop, and empower community leaders, and to ultimately give members of the community a voice to tell their individual and collective stories.
This first Mural, dubbed "Land of the Gods," depicts a transitioning from old to new. On the left hand side, in stunning sepia tone, it depicts the Belize of old. Images of the Cayo Boats docked at the boat landing in downtown San Ignacio, the old lumber trains used to transport Logwood and Mahogany to the coast, the days when street lights had to be ignited at the end of every day, and a land vibrant with superstition... days when Chicle was still harvested from within our jungles and the Union Jack still flew freely from flag poles in every community. It illustrates a Belize trapped behind the blanket of colonialism, yet vibrant in its own uniqueness. This transitions on the right into vibrant colours depicting the Belize of today.
A country that now exploits itself. Where lumber and Chicle are no longer our driving industries and have given way to mono-crop agriculture, Eco-tourism, petroleum, Telecom, and free enterprise. It tells the story of a young, independent nation reaching for the sun. A story only one page away from what it was before; yet, one with plenty left to be written.
