JORGE ZENO

(Washington, DC, USA, 1956)

The camp, 1980 ca.

Acrylic on canvas

MAB’s permanent collection

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The forest is present in various myths, legends, and folklore tales. It symbolizes the dangerous aspect of the unconscious (Carl G. Jung, 1952). It’s also associated with the encounter of strange beings and enemies, particularly during the night (Cirlot, 1997). For others, it’s a sacred place for the worship of the gods (Heinrich Zimmer, 1995). In Puerto Rico, El Yunque National Park derives its name from Yuké, Taíno word to describe the cloud-covered mountains in the Luquillo mountain range where the deity Yukiyú lived. The scene presented in this painting is a forest with some fabulous beings. What appears to be a griffin – a mixture of an eagle and a lion – stands out in the foreground, a symbol of strength, revenge, and vigilant protection. Camouflaged in the foliage, nature and the sky, figures, and animals are outlined. Among them, a masked woman, faces that look stealthily, and an owl, a nocturnal creature that represents misfortune.