The Philanthropic Art of “The Raven”

Gustavo Cuervo (‘Raven’) Silva Cabrera is an artist from Guayaquil, Ecuador with Mapuche blood, to honour them Gustavo has a long hair as part of his fight to promote culture. His art represents the world, the civilization and its impact on nature.

“I am always talking and educating, that’s my idea to educate people.” Gustavo ‘Raven’ Silva.

Gustavo 'Cuervo' Silva

This artist signs under the name of Raven after he made a spiritual trip, a vision quest to the Blue Ridge Mountains with a Wuchasa Wa-Kan, also known as a shaman by popular culture. Afterwards he performed his military service and participated in the Vietnam conflict as a combat medic in 1969.

After the war was over, Gustavo studied art in the School of Visual Arts since 1974. In 1976 he graduated as Bachelor of Arts in New York.

In 2001, Gustavo returned to Guayaquil, to culture the city through his art. However Raven found many obstacles to publish his work. Afterwards he began working with group called “La Ria Guayas” and along several young artists they started to give free classes to younglings from the poor neighbourhoods of the city.

The purpose of Raven is that these youngsters learn the different artistic styles and do their own work and not a copy of something. Later on Gustavo was called to Duran to paint in contest of walls for children. After establishing good relations with the director of Culture of Duran, Marcela Sanchez, the Raven offered her a plan so that he gets sponsored and give free artistic education to children.

"Cuervo's" piece of art

Soon he started to teach his art in the neighbourhoods of la Carmela, los Angeles and Calentura in a rice sector of the land. Meanwhile Raven teaches them to paint and some English, the town hall has provided the children with sports activities.

For over three years Gustavo ‘Raven’ Silva has dedicated his time and creativity to the benefit of future generations. The purpose of Raven is to create an original cultural art scene in Guayaquil and the highlands. “I am more interested in giving culture to these boys and this is the opportunity.”

It was the need for art, colour, and life that lacks in the city what motivated Raven to start his philanthropic work. “Guayaquil is my native city and I want to do it so that the arts are developed, but with local identity and that the youngsters from marginal sectors have access to this art.”

On November 2011, Gustavo started a project to help young men to with a graffiti workshop in the neighbourhood of ‘la Carmela’ in Duran. By doing this Raven teaches them urban art and to respect private properties. Thanks to the support of the town hall, Gustavo will soon have a wall to celebrate the 100 years of Eloy Alfaro with the work of these talented young men. (AV)