Jungle Art [Edit]

Nazario Acosta, a 27-year old self-taught artist from San Jose del Guaviare, Colombia is devoted to show in his paintings the myths, stories and lifestyle of the Nukak Makuk culture. His parents, original members of this unique tribe, took him in their journeys through the wild and majestic jungle, allowing him to know about his ancestors and Mother Nature.

The artist is now experimenting with natural pigments as “achote” and other substances the Nukaks use to paint their faces. He adds aromatic plants to the pigments so each painting keeps the original scent and smell of the jungle. Even the frames of his paintings are
made with “bejucos”, a plant used by them to build their homes (malocas).

Some years ago he was discovered by a lawyer that visited a local office in Guaviare, where one his paintings was. Since then, his work has been showcased in Cartagena, Tunja, Cuernavaca (Mex.) and Miami.

He is now looking forward to show it in Rome, but he is having trouble with the paperwork. Meanwhile he is planning to study Film and Television in the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.