In Medellín, another prominent Colombian city, a famous artist made a name for himself in the later 20th Century: Botero. Celebrated throughout the city as a Colombian artist, Botero's work can be seen all over, even near subways! Botero tends to paint larger, more plump characters, though he follows a range of themes. For example, Botero painted his depiction of the fall of a powerful druglord, Pablo Escobar, in a startling way that certainly captures your attention.
Interestingly, at a library close to where I saw this painting, I found a diagram for how the country plans to stop drug production from spreading. In contrast, a town just outside of Medellín, called Guatape, displays lovely, colorful murals on nearly every wall showing what's going on in the nearby shops!
Lastly, in Argentina, grafitti, or street art as it is often called, truly is a different art form. Street art in Buenos Aires can also cover a range of issues. From political matters, to social concerns, to vibrant colors meant to distract you when you cross the street, there's always something to look at and think about. First, this wall of street art includes a woman's face who was arguably the most important female politician of 20th Century Argentina. She and the rest of the Duarte family were buried in an enormous tomb.
There are also social issues represented in graffiti. This picture of a mover with a house on his back, walking towards a hummingbird, I found particularly moving. It's about gentrification, an issue that we see throughout Brooklyn, NY as well. In addition to the gentrification mural, these two street artworks side by side, of the man riding the horse and the bulls, both portray Spain's influence on Argentina.
