The series "Totems, Ode to the Gods" is inspired by the cave drawings of the Arawak aborigines of the island of Aruba, rich in compositions and patterns. After studying the drawings made on the rocks of the aborigines, I chose to combine compositions with shapes of shells and corals under the technique of screen printing and the process of overlays, in addition to adding the pigment of the stone flake itself as a colorant in my works. Aqua colors, shades of brown, burnt oranges are some of the ranges present in the Aruban environment that I transfer to my series. The cadence of native Aruban music was an important element in this series, which I tried to incorporate into the compositional rhythm, backgrounds and finishes of the works. The sensation of a “fossil” finish in my work has been achieved by applying graphite techniques, gold leaf, silver leaf and stamped layers of native drawings. The presence of petroglyphs in my art is the result of the observation of indigenous symbolism that I made and I invite the viewer to enjoy.

– Elisa Lejuez