CIMARRONES

Always free

Colaboration with:

#CIMARRONES is a collaboration between the photographer Colombian Laura Hernández (LaotraHernandez) and the Artist plastic Venezuelan Gonzalo Lion

“Cimarrones, Siempre Libres” is a tribute to the memory of thousands of enslaved black people, who carried freedom burning in their hearts. They were called Cimarrones because they were rebellious blacks who refused to be enslaved, even if they had to lose their own lives. The official history of Colombia has erased a part of it and through this work we want to tell it and make it visible, highlighting the collective and individual historical struggles of black people to preserve their identity and humanity.

Author: Manuela Caicedo, anthropologist, poet, rebel and cimarrona from the collective @Entre Cimarronas.

Each photograph in this series addresses a wide range of topics, from political and religious to the meaning of the braids that adorn the heads of those portrayed. These braids, far from being simply aesthetic decorations, are silent but powerful escape maps, visible only to kidnapped and enslaved black men and women who refused to accept a life without freedom in the so-called "new world": The Americas. The braids become symbols of resistance and rebellion, tangible reminders of the determination of those who sought their emancipation.

CIMARRONS

Always free

Desde el principio, la visión para estas fotografías fue clara: quería crear una explosión de color y estilo Pop, porque desde mi perspectiva, el color es libertad. El color es rebeldía, una rebelión contra las restricciones impuestas y un grito de identidad. También es tradición, una herencia vibrante que conecta con nuestras raíces más profundas.

Cada maquillaje fue cuidadosamente diseñado para reflejar esta dualidad. Desde las influencias tradicionales africanas, con sus ricos matices y simbolismos, hasta los tonos y técnicas modernas, buscaba capturar la esencia de la resistencia y la vitalidad. Las flores que adornan cada imagen son un reflejo de esa vida que los cimarrones llevaban consigo al huir. Representan las semillas de esperanza y cultura que sembraban en cada paso, escondidas y protegidas en los misterios de sus trenzas y los pliegues de sus turbantes.

For me, photography is a powerful tool for telling complex stories. These images celebrate both struggle and beauty, paying tribute to the resilience and creativity that flourish even in the darkest times. Each splash of color and detail invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a narrative of freedom and resistance.

Me gustaria adquirir una Fotografía

This project is presented not only as a photographic exhibition but also as an invitation to reflection and action. Each image is a window into a forgotten story and a reminder of the importance of preserving collective memory.

"CIMARRONES SIEMPRE LIBRES" aims to raise awareness about the historical and contemporary struggles of Black people for their freedom and dignity, as well as to foster a deeper understanding of Colombia's history.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to each model who stood before my lens.

Thank you for participating and embodying the essence of that ever-free Cimarron spirit. Your presence and energy have been fundamental in bringing this vision to life and conveying its powerful story.

The artist Gonzalo León plays a key role in this project, as he has brought these powerful photographic images into his own art in a continuous line. Through his interpretation, León delves even deeper into the stories and visual testimonies captured by Laura Hernández.

The continuous line in his work represents the unbroken connection between the past and the present, between the Maroons and those who are inspired by their fight for justice and equality. The collaboration between Hernández and León creates an artistic dialogue that further enriches the experience and meaning of

"CIMARRONES SIEMPRE LIBRES".

With this work, we aim to invite viewers on a journey through the senses, immersing them in a multisensory experience that is not only seen but also felt and heard, extending the message of freedom and resistance beyond visual and auditory boundaries.

Music producer Axel Capurro takes this work further with an instrumental and vocal piece that captures the essence and spirit of Cimarron culture, evoking the struggle and resistance of African slaves who escaped oppression in search of freedom. The song is characterized by a rich fusion of instrumental sounds and African choirs, creating a powerful and evocative atmosphere.

From the very first chord, listeners are transported to a sonic landscape filled with rhythmic percussion and deep melodies that resonate with the history of the Cimarrones. The drums, with their insistent and resonant rhythms, set the pulse of the song, symbolizing the heartbeat of a people fighting for their freedom. The African choirs, with their powerful and emotive voices, add a layer of spirituality and connection to ancestral roots, reinforcing the message of resistance and hope.