This particular work depicts a small section of the vast concrete landscape where nearly 80% of population of Caracas, Venezuela, has lived. As a result of more than two decades of authoritarian and corrupt governance, living conditions in these informal settlements -known as barrios-have deteriorated rapidly. The population continues to struggle with violent crime, government oppression, inflation, malnutrition and many other hardships.

Amid these many conflicts and challenges facing the country, hope for change persist. People continue to fight for survival. Although I lived outside the country for long time, this work reflects my attempt to portray the decay of Caracas’s barrios-their endless stairways immersed in darkness-while holding onto the hope that, one day, color and light may rise toward a clear blue sky.