Centro Cultural Guayasamín
Ecuador
Free entrance on Sundays.
Fundación Guayasamín is the organization that handles the whole Guayasamín legacy: the Capilla del Hombre museum, the deceased artist's home-museum, his workshop, and his whole artwork collection - all of them sitting on a large property on the fringes of the Metropolitan Park, on Guanguiltagua Hill.
The Capilla del Hombre ('Chapel of Man') museum is dedicated to the people of Latin America and is adorned with paintings of Guayasamin. It is an iconic tribute conceived and started by the master himself and completed after his death in 1999. Indeed, his ashes are buried in the courtyard of the house-workshop, under the shade of the tree of life, which the great man himself planted many years ago.
The complex has developed over the years into a cultural centre for Ecuador, and as well as artwork features objects of archaeological interest. A staggering 1,000 of his paintings are within the complex, including some of his most famous. Another great feature is the Eternal Flame, which sits in a metal plate in the grounds and symbolises the unrelenting battle for peace and human rights.
On the day that Guayasamin died, excavation efforts began in the gardens of the museum, and they unearthed pre-Incan remains. These now form the Archaeological Site Museum. There is also a cafe, restaurant, library and auditorium.
Entrance fee:
General public $6 - Students, Seniors and Disabled $3 - Children under 13 free - Sundays free for everyone
