Edmundo Otoniel
2020
25X30 cm
Acrylic on canvas board
Edmundo Otoniel was born in 1950 in San Salvador, El Salvador. His parents lived on a coffee and sugar cane plantation, where his father served as foreman. Throughout his childhood, Edmundo spent many hours picnicking on the plantation and observing the workers carrying out their daily tasks. At age 15, Edmundo, himself, commenced a 14-year career of field work, administering the collection, packing and delivery of the coffee harvest. In the midst of these activities, Otoniel began to paint and, thanks to his familiarity with plantation life, and his admiration and appreciation of the challenges confronting his fellow workers, lovingly highlighted the various activities in the coffee fields. As his artistic proficiency improved, and he became aware of the impact of climate change on the local flora and fauna, he included in his artworks a small “stamp” portraying an endangered aviary species. Edmundo’s artworks not only share with us, in incredible detail, the coffee-cultivating process but, too, highlight the personal lives of the local workers, including their action-packed football matches, fun-filled dance evenings and joyful marriage ceremonies.
