Cristian Jacob, the writer, approached me to work on his book “La Conquistada”, where I was responsible for its cover and the internal illustrations, which include 11 objects and details, 6 landscapes, and 4 characters.
The story is a fantastical adventure rooted in Mapuche cosmology, set during the period when Spanish conquerors were establishing themselves in Mapuche territory (South of Chile). The encounter between the two cultures unfolds along the blurred boundaries between good and evil, between flesh-and-blood characters and Mapuche mythological beings. The narrative conveys the threatening atmosphere of the conquest of the America, while highlighting essential aspects of Mapuche life.
To capture this vision, Cristian shared with me his extensive field research and readings on the Mapuche worldview. I visually reinterpreted the real world with historical accuracy while simultaneously creating fantastical elements that merged seamlessly in the book. The result is a captivating and educational story that explores nature, childhood, wisdom, and spirituality, with my illustrations enriching the book’s cultural and fantastical layers, while establishing a unique visual identity.
Client: Cristian Jacob (Writer)
Historical consulting: Sonia Montecino
Initial editorial review: Lorena Leigh
Editor: Patricio Serey (Inubicalistas Publishing)