Colombian painter Mario Ayerbe's work speaks volumes about issues close to his heart, peace ranking at the top.
When the softly spoken Latino talent was invited to make his debut in Thailand early this month at the Art Museum of Chulalongkorn University, he decided it would be beneficial to name his exhibition "Winds Of Peace", a contemporary exhibition to celebrate the end of conflicts in Colombia.
The most notable part of this historic achievement was the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the president of the Republic of Colombia, Dr Juan Manuel Santos.
Ayerbe, who hails from the southern province of Huila, reported to have bore the brunt of the internal conflict spanning half a century, said that through his paintings his desire was to show that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
"While 'peace' has become a cliché word today ... in Colombia it is being lived out because they have signed this peace agreement after 50 years of political infighting. In these particular exhibits I brought to Thailand, my desire was to show the colours behind the strife that war creates and the hues that represent peace," remarked Ayerbe, who has a string of awards to his credit.
"Besides the spiritual aspects found in my paintings, my aim was to portray the frugality of war and the benefits of replacing guns with music and art. What is happening today in Colombia is the result of past generations of kids playing with toys that inspire violence; today, I desire to see our youth focus on tradition and culture."
Ayerbe said he was delighted to come to Thailand, which he said was completely different from Colombia. He found it a country which permeated by peace, friendliness and hospitality towards foreigners and one another.
It is pivotal one keeps in mind the importance of peace and the need to sustain it, he said.
"It is important to tell people how important it is to enjoy this peace, because sometimes when you get used to things, you forget that it is something really beautiful. Putting such value on peace is important for my country, which has only started to enjoy this.
"I want people who look at any of my exhibitions to realise the beauty of life, and the beauty of peace."
Ayerbe said that during the course of his career, the challenges he has faced have made him determined to use the art form to tell stories. One example in particular that made him contemplate this was the story of a Colombian woman's escape from her kidnappers who were waging a guerrilla war.
It took two years to come up with 19 paintings of her exodus, which became a book.
"I worked closely with the lady in question, so when she came to see the painting I had made of her experience, she said it was like she was reliving the entire experience," recalled Ayerbe emotionally.
"Just as I was about to complete the last painting, I could not help but feel the same emotions of dread and fear she was experiencing at the time of her ordeal. It was physically and emotionally a draining experience for not just her, but for myself. I went through the battery of emotions that a kidnapped person would feel. It was one of the most depressing episodes in my life."
His artistic representation of the terrible torture faced by the author of the book titled De La Sombra A La Luz (From The Shadows To The Light) resulted in Best Cover Design and Best Arts Book Illustration at the 2012 International Latino Book Awards in New York.
After this life-altering incident, he said colours started to take on a more meaningful and important role in his paintings.
"During the course of painting the aforementioned collection, I found firsthand how colours can move one's emotions profoundly. In the past, I opted to focus on positive emotions, so my colours took on a happy disposition; today, my approach towards this has been revolutionised -- I dare to venture into the darker side of human nature."
Of Colombian artists, Ayerbe said, the inspiration behind most of their work is the tropical Caribbean atmosphere which is full of colour, open spaces and the beauty of nature. It makes no difference as he continues to perfect his art to reach what he would consider his masterpiece.
"Of course, my goal is to create that masterpiece which still eludes me to this day," said Ayerbe with a twinkle in his eye. "However, to do so would mean that I have nothing else to look forwards to accomplishing as a painter. So my idea is to keep procrastinating from reaching that time."
Asked about the ultimate painting he would like to one day make, Ayerbe said: "Colombia has often been portrayed to the outside world as a divided country, full of poverty, drugs and political turmoil. With the end of war, this is gradually changing. So yes, I would like to put these feeling together on canvas one day."
