30/03/2026
Cuy En Las Nubes
Oil and recycled painting pieces on canvas
2025
From the 1500s through the early 20th century, master painters and folk artists used the guinea pig as a main subject or decorative element. Guinea pigs are believed to have been introduced to Europe between the 1550s and 1580s, and they quickly became subjects for painters.
In 2025, I began to include guinea pigs in my paintings, highlighting the contrast between South America, where they originate, and other parts of the world where they are considered exotic pets. Where I come from, however, they are eaten regularly. As food, they are often presented whole on the plate, sometimes prepared on a barbecue with a stick placed through the center of the body.
The intention of this series of cuyes is to encourage greater empathy toward different cultures and their ways of consumption, while also promoting the preservation of these beautiful animals by caring for them and supporting a sustainable way of life.
