Colombian painter surprises with his powerful memory

Americas Now

Painting by Colombian artist Abel Rodriguez.

Abel Rodriguez is an indigenous artist from Colombia’s Nonuya community. He is proof of how much information our brain is capable of storing: he draws and paints completely from memory.

Much of Rodriguez’s work is the result of observations he made while in the Amazon forest. From birds resting on tree branches to fish swimming in a river, he illustrates every detail from memory and put together a series of 12 paintings.

His art was recently on display at the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C. Rodriguez seeks to preserve the traditions and knowledge of his tribe. In addition to painting, he is also a basket weaver.

Watch below to experience the work of Abel Rodriguez.

A Colombian painter surprises with his powerful memory

Abel Rodriguez is an indigenous artist from Colombia’s Nonuya community. He is proof of how much information our brain is capable of storing. Abel draws and paints completely from memory.