Solon Foundation: A space for art and free thinking against existing dogmas.

“There is so much to say, so many injustices to denounce, innumerable abuses to confront. We can not stay quiet and face adversity with our hands crossed against a world prepared to devour itself. We can not wait to clarify our paradigms, whilst thousands of men and women confront the advance of a system that leaves desolation in its wake.” (Walter Solón Romero, 1997)

The Solon Foundation is a space that aims to question the economic and political system from different perspectives and fronts: art, video, research, promotion of human rights, the rights of women, the struggle against injustice. For just over a decade, the work of the Foundation has focused on amplifying the voices of discriminated and marginalised groups who question huge social inequality and call for urgent social transformation.

What is and what does the Foundation do?

The Solon Foundation was born in 1994 in order to preserve, promote and recreate the work, thinking and spirit of muralist, Walter Solón Romero (1923-1999), in particular his vision of socially committed art contributing to the practice of humanity for humanity sake - an ideal which he extolled on walls, canvas, weavings, engravings and paintings.

Solón, a well known Bolivian artist, never painted to entertain or distract people. His aim was always to push for a full exercise of human rights, including the right to creativity and rebellion, and that is why he proposed creating a space for critical reflection which could contribute towards a utopia of a different, more just and solidarity based world.

The artist left Solón Foundation with three great symbols that formed the basis of his art: the image of Quixote who fought tirelessly for justice, the symbol of a rock which in Solón's imagination represented the peoples' memory and the picture of Anteo who is a painter with wings who in order to fly must first have his first firmly rooted in the earth, in reality.

Analysis, mission and vision of Solon Foundation
Three mural titles sum up Solon Foundation's outlook:

Analysis: Humanity which devours itself and destroys the planet in the rush by a few for wealth, conquest and power.

Mission: To contribute to the practice of humanity: the exercise of rights for all living beings and the earth itself.

Vision: A humanity which lives in harmony, developing its human, creative and solidarity potential in a permanent equilibrium with nature and the planet.

In more detail our mission is to:

To contribute to the practice of humanity, a humanity that lives in harmony developing its human and creative potential in a world of solidarity, respect for life and human dignity. To practice humanity is to believe that all human beings have the right to happiness regardless of race, culture, gender, age, political or religious beliefs, political or economic status, constructing a present and future of permanent equilibrium with nature.

How we work

The key tools of Solon Foundation are art, research and communication. We focus on the themes of right to water, integration of peoples, the struggle against impunity, women's rights and cultural diversity.

Art is the spirit that moves all the activities of Solon Foundation: from mural paintings to our presence on the internet. Our research is what opens the way for uncovering and understanding multiple realities. Our communication includes audiovisual, radio, print, electronic and oral channels as well as permanent exhibitions and presentations.