STREET ART #27 – painted walls in the village of Purmamarca, Argentina

The little village of Purmamarca, with only some 2000 inhabitants is located in the Quebrada de Humahuaca in the north-western corner of Argentina. I found that this little village had a both graffiti and street art.This region has been a crossroad for both social, cultural and economic communication. Populated for the last 10.000 years when the first gathers and hunters were here. The Inca empire conquered the area in 1480 and stayed untill the arrival of the Spanish.The road through the valley was a trading route for the Incas in the 15th century, as well as a place of many battles with the Spanish conquestadors. The Quebrada de Humahuaca became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003.

When walking around Purmamarca, I discovered the murals by accident. I have no knowledge of the meaning behind or who the artists are! A closer look at them, I found that most are inspired by and reflects the nature, history and the culture of the people who has lived here for centuries. In adition to photoes of the pieces of art, I have chosen to add a few photoes of the colored rockformations in the Quebrada and the village of Purmamarca, to show you where the inspiration comes from.

Hornocal – 14 colored mountain. 4350 m. above sea level north in the Quebrada

Purmamara's – Hill of Seven Colors

Purmamarca street – notice the pottery for sale

Purmamarca is situated between the river and the Cerro de los Siete Colors – Hill of Seven Colors – The colored rock can be seen from almost anywhere in town. It is a pretty litle place with ochre adobe houses. Local craftsmen are selling their products at the market set up on the plaza every day. Woolen materials are made from the wool of the llama. Also pottery is exquisite. Archeological finds has shown that the ancestors were skilled masters of the art of pottery. This art is still alive, along with woven materials with ancient patterns.

To be able to study the details of this large and quite long mural, I took some close up photoes. Look at the two faces. Do you see the colored mountains? Look at the hat or hair. It resembles the layers off the Hill of Seven Colors. Some small figuers on the mountains – people hiking. In Purmamarca many people walk around the Hill of Seven Colors (3 km.) Fox is one of the animals found around here.

Look at this wall. The native with his flute. Next to him,the Spanish conquerors ? Look closely. One of them is holding a plane in his hands. What does that mean? Then the church...

These two were found on the same wall. Colored mountain, pottery, llama and a pan flute (left corner of the photo above) But who is the man? And what is that "thing which looks like a snake, but with windows? Look at the first photo. The sun and a condor. Just as in the Pharaoh's kingdom in Egypt, the sun and the sun god stood at the center of the Incas.

Purmamarca, along with the rest of the valley, is a village of skilled craftsmen. I am not surprised to find all these murals. Hope you have enjoyed the murals of Purmamarca.

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Latest street art post, check out :
STREET ART #26 – more street art in Mauritius

U.J

Kristiansand, Norway

All the photoes are mine, Ulla Jensen (flickr, Instagram and facebook)

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