"The Hands of Protest"

      In 1999, Oswaldo Guayasamin painted The Hands of Protest.  Oswaldo Guayasamin is from Ecuador and this painting reveals the suffering caused by the twentieth century violence in Ecuador (“The Hands of Protest”[1]). It revolves around Ecuador where the people have been gaining political rights due to their protests and mobilization (“Guayasamin”[2]).    From 1912-1999, Ecuador lacked political stability due to social and economic problems (“History of Ecuador”[3]).  

   This painting represents aggravation towards the society.  The creature’s mouth is opened up widely which indicates that he is screaming and frustrated because of the chaos.  His two front teeth are cracked which represents that the government is corrupted since the wealthy merchants and bankers had all the power instead of the liberals in office (“Ecuador”[4]). The rigidity of the creature in the painting demonstrates that nothing is smooth and the government is not flexible. The distorted creature’s hands are very big which symbolizes that he is begging for a resolution to end all the protests and sufferings. His eyes look teary which shows that he is dissatisfied. His fingers are all dirty and tense which represent that he is provoked and stressed. The dark colors in the background portray that the setting is very gloomy and mournful.  

   This painting connects to loss of dignity. It represents the loss of respect toward society because everyone is protesting and causing chaos instead of peacefully resolving it.  The creature looks distorted which symbolizes that the government is corrupted. The creature is screaming which represents that he is upset with the corrupted system.  The distorted creature’s big hands represent that he is aggravated and is begging for hope.    

                                                                                                                                   

---

[1]   "The Hands of Protest," Guayasamin ,http://www.guayasamin.org/pages_ing/7_cuadro_mes_2.htm

[2]   "Guayasamin," Todo Es Posible En Ecuador, <http://adriennealta.weebly.com/guayasamin.html>.

[3]   "History of Ecuador," History World, <http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=2125&HistoryID                =ab93>.

[4]    "Ecuador: Problems of the Early 20th Century," Encyclopedia Britannica,      <http://corporate.britannica.com/about/>.