La Ausencia en la Presencia (Ever present, ever absent) is a series of 13 portrait narratives, which explores the loss of persons whose loved ones have gone missing due to the armed conflict in Colombia. In collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Betsalel spent time with family members of missing persons as they told their stories and shared their memories and objects of remembrance. In exhibition, each subject is represented by three elements: narrative, portrait, and object; the title of each grouping states the familial relationship of the sitter to the missing person and the missing person’s name and date of disappearance. At the request of families, some dates and names have been changed.
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“Father of Braulio, missing since May 9, 2005”
acrylic, graphite and charcoal on canvas, 60 x 48 inches, 2014
object: tree stump and spare parts for a chainsaw
My son was a woodworker. The day he went missing he was waiting by the road for a delivery of spare parts for his chainsaw. For many years I did not have proof that he was dead – until last November, when I saw a picture of his body. At that moment I felt strong, as if I had an invisible shield protecting me. But I have no memory of the days that followed. Sometimes I feel I have lost my mind. Sometimes I suddenly start to cry. It is painful to let him go and to forgive. I just want to find his body so he can be properly buried.
In the beginning I was obsessed with clearing his name and seeking justice. I left my farm and sacrificed everything I had. I hired a lawyer but he took my money and never worked on the case. He refused to give me back all of the documents I had collected. I was very depressed and contemplated giving up. I was crying in a hotel lobby when a woman approached to comfort me and asked about my story. She convinced me to accompany her to the Attorney General’s Office. Eventually the Organization of American States was able to get back the case file from the lawyer. Since then, the case has been re-opened. That woman was an angel.
“Mother of Edgar Byron, missing since July 10, 1999”
charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 60 x 40 inches, 2014
object: letter from Edgar Byron
My son Edgar Byron liked to draw. Once he won an award for his artwork. When he finished school at age 17, he enrolled in the Police Academy to help support our family. But he never lost his interest in drawing. He worked for the police for three years before he was captured. For three months we did not know if he was alive. Then we received a proof-of-life photograph. After that he began to send us letters and drawings so that we would know he was alright. He would tell me not to worry, that he was fine. In 2002 the letters stopped.
Once Edgar Byron visited me in a dream and told me that when all the family was together again, he would return. Even to this day I still feel he is watching over our family.
The most difficult decision of my life was many years after this, when I finally took the money from the government in compensation for his service… to choose money over the hope that my son was still alive.
“Mother of Jairo Alexander, missing since July 21, 2006”
charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 60 x 40 inches, 2014
object: photograph of altar
When they took my son, they kidnapped my life. He was such an intelligent, noble and good person. I was very proud of him when he finished school and became a nurse. He was always taking care of everyone. A few days after he disappeared, his girlfriend found out she was pregnant with his child. It was heart breaking. His son always wants to go to the airport to wait for his father to return. I too believe that one day he will return.
When I feel heartsick I go to visit my grandson. He reminds me so much of Jairo Alexander, and I am so thankful to God to have him in my life. Taking care of him is a distraction, which brings me joy, but also pain. Even though the authorities say that it is very unlikely my son is still alive, I have not yet given up. We still keep a candle burning in hopes he will one day find his way home.
“Sister of Carlos, missing since April 2, 2007”
acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48 inches, 2014
object: pile of dirt
When I was young, armed actors tried to recruit me. They said I would have lots of money, an education, and a great life. They tried to offer me clothes but I would not accept their gifts. My destiny was not with them. The only thing more important to me than my freedom is protecting my children.
People say they came to the farm where my brother was working and forced him to install devices. Some say he was killed when one was unintentionally activated. But no one knows where his body is. It is very sad because he was a good and honest person, only working there at the farm to try and support his family. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
exhibition of “La Ausencia en la Presencia” in conjunction with International Committee of the Red Cross Missing Campaign Bogotá, Colombia, 2014, photo: Andrés Felipe Cortés Tique
exhibition of “La Ausencia en la Presencia” in conjunction with International Committee of the Red Cross Missing Campaign Bogotá, Colombia, 2014, photo: Andrés Felipe Cortés Tique
exhibition of “La Ausencia en la Presencia” in conjunction with International Committee of the Red Cross Missing Campaign Bogotá, Colombia, 2014, photo: Andrés Felipe Cortés Tique
exhibition of “La Ausencia en la Presencia” in conjunction with International Committee of the Red Cross Missing Campaign Bogotá, Colombia, 2014, photo: Andrés Felipe Cortés Tique
