The Three Little Birds - Willemstad, Curacao
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Raven
N 12° 06.384 W 068° 55.986
19P E 507279 N 1338320
This sculpture of 3 banaquits representing a tropical music band was made out of wasted consumer goods and recycled products. It can be found on the Jojo Correa public square in the Punda district of downtown Willemstad.
Waymark Code: WM100XG
Location: Curaçao
Date Posted: 02/04/2019
Views: 1
Commissioned by the local Maduro and Curiel Bank ("MCB"), "The Three Little Birds" is a public artwork located in the Jojo Correa public square within Punda, one of the 2 main districts of downtown Willemstad, Curacao. It was dedicated to the public by its artist, Omar Sling, on December 2016.
The sculpture represents 3 banaquits (a typical bird on the island) playing diverse musical instruments while singing a tropical tune -- very appropriate for its location. As best explained by the artist: "I believe they [the banaquits] somehow resemble us. In their own way, people are also always searching for something "dushi" [a local word with many meanings, not easily translatable in English], something nice or something sweet. Portraying the birds with instruments gives them the universal language of music. Through music, we create connections. Music can be a tool for bringing people together, and might even help in establishing peace. I believe Curacao could use a little more of that. My art tells my stories, and will hopefully keep on telling my stories long after I’m gone.”
The artist is locally known for using all kinds of recycled materials for his artwork. His father was a handyman, able to fix anything and everything: memories of watching his father work with all those different tools and parts still inspires him and has laid the groundwork for art. His use of local waste materials increases awareness about keeping our natural environment and expresses his desire for cultural development and positive change. Once again, as explained by the artist: "I don’t search for materials, they find me. In Curaçao people are ashamed of taking old tires, a mannequin’s leg or pieces of old metal along the road. When the material finds me, I take it. It spends days in my yard and suddenly I find myself creating something out of it"
Omar Sling was born on Curacao in 1976 and studied Design and Multimedia at the Graphic Lyceum of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), but returned back home in 2007. He started working for a graphic design company, but by 2010 -- with the business floundering -- he accidentally participated in an art exhibition at the prodding of a friend... and the rest is history: he is now a quite famous artist on the island and is still very active to this day.
Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: The Three Little Birds
Figure Type: Animal
Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Omar Sling
Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: Dec 2016
Materials used: Recycled material / mostly old plastic and rubber items
Location: Jojo Correa Square, Punda District, Willemstad
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