Jorge Kata Núñez From Chile to Rotterdam and back (1999)

In 1998, it was twenty-five years since the government of Salvador Allende in Chile was overthrown by General Pinochet. After the fall and death of Allende (1908-1973) many Chilean refugees came to the Netherlands. Among these refugees were many poets, musicians and artists. The Chilean painters' brigades made colorful indictments against injustice and deception in a clear visual language: sunny, poetic and pure. At the start of 1999, this episode from Chilean history was commemorated with exhibitions, debates and a festival. The work of the Chilean artist Jorge Kata Núñez was part of this. Kata made this painting on the initiative of Projectgroep Vluchtheuvel From Chile to Rotterdam and back. On the left is a friendly smiling Allende. In the center a black horse gallops, symbolizing freedom and energy and referring to an indomitable desire of hope and optimism. The horse trots over the Chilean flag, the white of which merges with the rays of the sun that floods the horizon with light. At the bottom right is a figure who sympathizes with the dictatorship and perishes in a gesture of shame. The mural was part of the exhibition 'Chileans in Rotterdam – 25 years after Allende'. The painting was visible for years above the entrance of the nursing home “De Leeuwenhoek”, a location that was chosen in consultation with Aktiegroep Het Oude Westen and the Humanitas Foundation. Due to the poor condition of the wooden panels and frame, the work was removed from the facade and stored at the end of 2023.