Pachamama – Original painting for Touch Wood Exhibition 2019

Owen Gent created "Pachamama," likely in the early 21st century, as a painting for the Touch Wood Exhibition. The title "Pachamama" immediately connects us to South American Indigenous cultures, where Pachamama is revered as Earth Mother, a deity embodying fertility, nourishment, and protection. Gent's choice to depict this figure—a lone, dark silhouette set against a somber, verdant background—evokes a sense of mystery and reverence. Consider the history of colonial impact on Indigenous lands and cultures. Gent’s work subtly comments on environmental exploitation and cultural erasure. The figure, genderless and obscured, could represent anyone who feels a deep connection to the earth, or those whose voices have been historically marginalized. This painting is not just an image; it is a call to recognize our relationship to the land.