Tracing Conflict in a Colombian Mural

The mural was commissioned in 2000, at the heart of the Zona de Distensión. It was a no-man's land created by the Colombian government in the Western Amazon to try and support a peace process. The FARC guerrilla who were in control of the region, strongly supported the church and partly payed for its construction.

The centre of the mural painted in the church depicts the scene of the Last Supper. Its details are grounded in the landscapes and symbols typical to Colombia's eastern plains.

The local priest, Padre Cantalapiedra sought to link the Christian beliefs of the congregation with realities of life in this remote region. The mural was one representation of this effort.

Several years later, the priest was detained by Colombian authorities for suspected collaboration with FARC guerrilla.

At the corner, meat is being prepared according to the traditions of the plains. The entire affair is made to look like a typical lunch on a farm, with the figures assembled in a simple structure of wood and palm fronds.

At the far left of the mural, a figure is seen hunching with his back to the main gathering while holding a bundle of money, with a long ax leaning against his leg. It is possible that the figure represents the corruption and environmental damage caused in the region by deforestation.

To the left of the main scene, a woman is seen holding a young child. The image follows a familiar Christian motif, but both figures are dressed like locals farmers in the region.