The Arrival of the Shapeshifter to Havana (La Llegada del Cagüeiro a la Habana), 2023
oil on canvas
51 x 51 in
129.5 x 129.5 cm
ALM024
$ 10,000.00
In the painting, The Arrival of the Shapeshifter to Havana, you see a confident man holding a golden lasso. He is inspired by a man Orlando knows from home nicknamed,...
In the painting, The Arrival of the Shapeshifter to Havana, you see a confident man holding a golden lasso. He is inspired by a man Orlando knows from home nicknamed, "Guarijo”. The name "Guarijo", was created out of the English mispronunciation of “War Hero '' a phrase that North Americans used to reference the Cuban countryside fighters in the Spanish-American war. It is still used in contemporary Cuba as a cheeky reference to people from rural areas in Cuba.
In this painting, El Guarijo is wearing a common work button-up and rides Palmiche, a cartoon horse popularized in Cuban Sunday morning cartoons, which symbolizes the rider's inner child. Behind him is a seemingly elite group of horseback riders tumbling off their prestigious racing horses. For the man in the painting, riding a horse is second nature- a humble activity he grew up doing in the countryside. This attitude is one that Orlando relates to his arrival in Havana and his respect for migrants who have had to make due with less privilege and support, and who continue to work towards their goals.