Maria Berrio: Our Children on the Battlefield

Maria Berrio (b. 1982), *Our Children on the Battlefield,* collage with Japanese paper, watercolour, acrylic and pencil on canvas, signed, titled and dated 2015 on the reverse,121.9 by 152.2 cm. 48 by 59⅞ in., Image Source: Sotheby’s

“In her group portraits, Berrío routinely includes at least one of her figures—typically a woman—staring directly out at the viewer. Here, despite the tilt of her head, the central woman maintains direct eye contact with the viewer, engaging them in a silent dialogue. Surrounding this dominant central figure with a baby balanced comfortably on her head, the forms of powerful female warriors and women swarm the field of yellow daisies. While some carry vases of flowers on their heads or in their hands, others ride fantastic beasts— from giant birds to elephants and tigers…In Berrío’s words, her women “are embodied ideals of femininity. The ghostly pallor of their skin suggests an otherworldliness; they appear to be more spirit that flesh. These are the women I want to be: strong, vulnerable, compassionate, courageous, and in harmony with themselves and nature.” (María Berrío in conversation with C.J Bartunek, “As Complicated and Elusive as Reality,” The Georgia Review, Spring 2019, online).
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