2006 

mixed medium 

This sculpture was conceived after returning from a visit to Old Quosco (Cusco) Peru.  The use of coca leaf in Andean culture stretches back long before the Spanish ever set foot on American soil...long before the Inca empire...as early as 4000 B.C.   The Coca leaf was held sacred by the Inca and was used in every single celebration and ceremonial offering to the Andean Gods. The ancient customary use of coca in its native Peru was paramount to medical uses as well as fortifying body and spirit in extreme altitude and rugged terrain.  The discovery and refinement of coca leaf into cocaine, along with its slippery slope of associated problems turned international attention toward the topic of coca leaf cultivation.  The drug war began and soon perverted the world view of the sacred coca leaf and the benign traditions used for milleniums.   In Peru this sacred plant is still widely traded for a mutlitude of healthful uses. The coca leaf is woven deeply into the fabric of Andean culture and is not likely to ever be eradicated by outside cultures.  The conflict is as extreme and dramatic as the country from which it originates; Peru.  Fine hotels in Cusco keep coca tea brewed fresh in their lobbies for their guests to enjoy and stave of altitude sickness. Many stores carry coca leaf "candies" used for alertness or alleviating headache, or nausea.  One brand, "Coca Sweet" struck me as especially ironic in view of the violent anti coca sentiment of U.S. drug agents spilling blood in an effort to halt coca cultivation. Using authentic Coca Sweet wrappers, This piece was created as a social-political statement in view of what is clearly an "unwinnable" war and cultural conflict. The coca plant can not be eradicated any more than the Andes Mountains can be moved. 

 As it is said in Cusco, "La Hoja de Coca no es droga".