Artist Revives Yucatan Culture with Unique Art

Mario Quiñones Ayala, a painter from Yucatan, is committed to preserving the local culture through his artwork. He specializes in creating replicas of the unique plaques that once identified the streets of Mérida's Historic Center in the 1980s. These plaques are a significant part of the city's cultural heritage.

Quiñones and his daughter Dulce are continuing the work of artist Martín Pérez Ponce, who first introduced the concept of these replicas. Quiñones' work is meticulous, paying close attention to every detail of the original plaques, even replicating the stone texture on his canvases.

In addition to these replicas, Quiñones also creates artwork using recycled materials and products from the endangered Yucatecan fields. He crafts items like leks and jícaras, which are not just functional, but also serve as decorative pieces that help preserve the local culture.

With a career spanning 28 years, Quiñones has worked on a variety of projects, from restoring religious statues to painting murals. Regardless of the project, he always ensures that the essence of Yucatecan culture is reflected in his work.