Collection: Ogwa (Flores Balbuena)

Ogwa (Flores Balbuena) was born in Puerto Caballo, Chaco, in 1937. The ethnographer Branislava Susnik encouraged his artistic production to document the customs and mythology of the Ishir forest people (Ebytoso – Chamacoco). According to Ana María Spadafora, anthropologist at CONICET (Argentina): “Owga’s work stands out not only for the creativity with which the artist stages the traditional mythology of the Ishir people, the Chaco landscapes and the various animal species that inhabit it, but also for having the merit of being the first figurative plastic expression of a people whose traditional creative manifestations were based on abstract motifs linked to body painting. His growing interest in painting is also something to be highlighted.” While he was already very ill, between 2007 and 2008, Laurence Griffin-Vene organized a large exhibition of his works at the Musée de Tessé (Le Mans, France). Leaving behind an immense legacy, he passed away on May 10, 2008. He was laid to rest at the Cultural Center of the Republic.