Title: Happy Birds, Sad city No 2. Media: Monoprint and water-soluble wax pastels on Arches paper.Dimensions: 14 × 16 in. Year 2021

In Venezuelan culture, the birds depicted in Happy Birds, Sad City hold a special place in the people’s heart. Last year, while speaking with family members who still live in Caracas, they shared stories of their interactions with beautiful, friendly birds with vivid colors called “Guacamayas”. These birds often visit their windows and balconies of their apartment. Such encounters transformed their emotional outlook on daily life, providing moments of hope and positive –a kind of natural therapy. Simple acts, such as offering food or briefly engaging with the Guacamayas, provided moments of happiness amid an otherwise seemingly hopeless situation.