Venezuelan Artists Mobilize Mutual Aid After Devastating Earthquakes
On June 24, Venezuela's northern coast was rocked by two earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude, causing severe destruction in La Guaira and Caracas. The confirmed fatalities have surpassed 1,700, with more than 50,000 individuals reported missing. Gloria Blancato, an artist, managed to escape her crumbling residence, while painter Onai Quiñonez was trapped and perished despite Francisco Schutte's rescue attempts. Siul Rasse, a textile artist, mourned the loss of three family members, recalling the Vargas tragedy of 1999. Azalia Licón's brother also lost his life. The quakes struck a nation already suffering from hyperinflation and sanctions, complicating communication due to power and internet failures. Armando Velutini Suñer is working on satellite antennas for better connectivity. At the Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Artes, community members have established supply drop-off points. Aid coordination is being led by Ana Alenso from Berlin, while Michael Wong shared fond memories of Quiñonez.
Key facts
- 7.5- and 7.2-magnitude doublet earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24.
- Official death toll surpassed 1,700; over 50,000 people missing.
- Artist Gloria Blancato escaped her collapsing home in Catia La Mar by jumping from a window.
- Painter Onai Quiñonez died trapped under rubble despite rescue efforts.
- Artist Francisco Schutte helped source tools for the rescue of Quiñonez.
- Textile artist Siul Rasse lost three relatives and is reliving trauma from the 1999 Vargas tragedy.
- Photographer Azalia Licón's brother was killed in the earthquakes.
- Sculptor Armando Velutini Suñer is installing satellite antennas along the coast for communication.
- Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Artes set up supply drop-off sites; dozens of students missing.
- Cultural collective Polyriddim, Poliritmo repurposed a WhatsApp group for aid coordination.
- Artist Michael Wong shared photos of Onai Quiñonez's father holding a recovered painting.
- Ceramicist Laura Silva, Quiñonez's wife, survived and led the rescue initiative.
Entities
Artists
- Gloria Blancato
- Onai Quiñonez
- Francisco Schutte
- Siul Rasse
- Azalia Licón
- Armando Velutini Suñer
- Ana Alenso
- Michael Wong
- Laura Silva
- Carlos Cruz-Diez
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Artes
- Artedita Studio
- Polyriddim, Poliritmo
Locations
- Venezuela
- Catia La Mar
- La Guaira
- Caracas
- Los Palos Grandes
- Berlin
- Germany
- Caribbean Sea