Wall Paper Border c. 1936

This is Alfonso Umana's wall paper border. It consists of a red stripe with arrow symbols running above a green strip with white flowers. The arrow motif, like a silent messenger, has traversed epochs, adorning Roman military standards, Renaissance emblems, and now, this wallpaper border, each time embodying direction, force, and purpose. Observe how, in contrast to its martial origins, the arrow here is domesticated, softened, yet it retains a primal energy, an echo of its past lives. The flower, too, is laden with history. From ancient fertility rites to Victorian love tokens, its symbolism is a palimpsest of cultural meanings. Here, Umana presents a juxtaposition of power and beauty. It is a study in contrasts that engages our subconscious, stirring deep-seated memories and emotions. This wallpaper is not mere decoration; it's a stage where symbols from different times meet, mingle, and transform.