Meanderings of the Urubamba River

Oil on linen, 120cm x 190cm x 4cm  

Within the vista of this canvas I have chosen to depict a panorama from the near the Sun gate on the approach to the citadel city of Machu Picchu at the culmination of the inca trail. The broad meandering curves of the Rio Urubamba wind round jungle clad peaks of sacred reverence to the Quechua people. Central to the composition is the peak of Putucusi a round-shaped mountain located on the opposite side of the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu in the Cusco Region of Peru, it reaches approximately 2,560 metres above sea level. Yet higher peaks clad in cloud forests retreat into the distant amazonian haze. The majesty of this location was chosen by the Inca lords as the union of stone verticality, water, air and fire. Fire, in the form of sunlight dramatically illuminates this enthroned position each morning. In fact, a hitching post of the sun is located in the once lost city. Such elementals are revered as divine manifestions of Apu’s (godlike entities). The Andean concept of Ayni meaning reciprocity in quechua is a key value that I have tried honour whilst producing this painting. Ayni involves all the relationships that exist among the Andean people as well as their relationship with Mother Earth, Pachamama. Ayni is a form of private reciprocity, when someone calls for help and will repay by doing a similar work. The beauty I have tried to evoke in this painting is an offering back to Mother Earth in honour of the beauty I received whilst visiting this place.