"Hippos and Coke" by Andres Izquierdo

The work displayed here is inspired by the extraordinary and complex case of Pablo Escobar’s hippopotamuses—once a private exhibition of excess, now an ecological crisis. Imported in the 1980s as a symbol of unchecked power, these animals have since thrived in Colombia’s Magdalena River Basin, growing from an initial four to an estimated 150 to 200 by 2025. Their rapid proliferation has disrupted local ecosystems, sparking urgent debates about invasive species, human intervention, and ethical wildlife management.

But this story is more than just an environmental anomaly—it is personal. I grew up in Colombia during Escobar’s reign, a time marked by relentless terrorism, bombings, kidnappings, and violence that left a generation impacted. Friends and colleagues bore the burdens of this era—some were kidnapped, and others were murdered. These experiences shape my artistic inquiry, embedding within it a visceral understanding of history’s weight and the shadow of power.

This body of work is not solely about Escobar’s hippos; it also addresses the aftershocks of unchecked authority, the clash between human ambition and nature, and the role of art as a witness to global challenges. Through these paintings, I encourage viewers to reflect on the enduring consequences of human actions—on individuals, on landscapes, and on the narratives we choose to uphold.