Hello; my name is Rafael Michelena, I am a Venezuelan born artist. I have always tried to spread and cultivate Venezuelan art and culture. For example, I was part of a team that made videos for 2 Venezuelan Grammy nominated bands, Luz Verde and the Amigos invisibles. I have created many pieces of art honoring Venezuela including one of the first (if not the very first) native angel with indigenous bird wings, which will hopefully help protect Venezuela and its people.
Thanks to my parents, I have also been involved in the Political field since I can remember. I have even been black listed in Venezuela for protesting and helping the Opposition leaders push for a recall referendum and have created my share of political cartoons.
Venezuela is going through a horrible time right now and is trying to be heard, however, not many people know of the plight of this country. The end of the "Revolution" is near, but that is when it gets the worst. It is darkest before the light, but in this darkness no one can see. Someone must chronicle what is happening and let the world know that although they can't be heard, there is a whole country screaming out in despair.
Venezuela is starving. It is collapsing under an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Countless sick suffer, weaken and deteriorate if they don’t die first due to lack of medicine, infrastructure, water and electricity. 87% of Venezuelans say they do not have enough money for food.
The country is also experiencing a massive food shortage. With a hyperinflation reaching 750% it has gotten so bad that families need 16 minimum wage salaries just to properly feed themselves. People are looting supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies.
Police have been monitoring lines outside supermarkets as people wait for hours just to buy basic items like pasta. Venezuela has become the murder capital of the world with the highest amount of political prisoners in all of Latin America. Blame has been placed on President Nicolas Maduro’s corrupt economic policies which have destroyed the country’s private sector.
Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg plaguing Venezuela. To add insult to injury, there has been very little to no coverage outside of the region, silencing the voice of a country who is screaming for their very lives.
This plight must be heard and recorded. I will create 12 16"x20" paintings and illustrations in 6 months in order to be able to echo the suffering, losses and victories of the country and its people, as this revolution comes to its inevitable collapse and conclusion.
Our minimum goal is $5,000, however if we are able to go over $20,000 I will make another set of 6 pieces and set up an exhibition in the Washington DC area in order to be able to raise even more awareness and hopefully give Venezuela more of a voice in the international arena.
Thanks to your Tax deductible contribution and help we will create the chronicles of the end of the Venezuelan "Revolution".
Thank you very much.
Rafael Michelena.
