Gohei V 1970

Omar Rayo created ‘Gohei V’ as part of his exploration of geometric abstraction, a style he used to express the cultural and political ideas he developed in response to the social environment of his native Colombia. Rayo’s focus on geometric shapes and minimalist color palettes emerged at a time when Latin American artists were reckoning with both international art movements and their own cultural identities. His work stands as a powerful statement of identity that is rooted in pre-Columbian art. The crisp lines and strong colors, especially the strategic use of red and black, evoke a sense of cultural pride, drawing on indigenous aesthetics and the visual languages of the Americas. ‘Gohei V’ invites us to consider how abstract forms can carry deep cultural meanings, reflecting Rayo's commitment to expressing his heritage through a modern artistic vocabulary. This piece exemplifies how art can both honor and reimagine cultural identity.