The Entidad Binacional Yacyretá (EBY) has inaugurated a permanent exhibition of the final work by Paraguayan artist Delfín “Koki” Ruiz. The exhibition opened at the Visitor Reception Centre in Villa Permanente, Ayolas. The mural La Recolección de los Frutos (The Harvesting of the Fruit) now adorns the newly named Salón Koki Ruiz. The display at the EBY (the binational entity jointly established by Argentina and Paraguay to manage the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Dam) honours the late artist’s remarkable contribution to Paraguay’s cultural heritage.
The decision to immortalise Ruiz’s last creation answers a call to preserve and celebrate his artistic legacy. Originally crafted for the joint EBY and Itaipú stand at the 2024 Expo Mariano Roque Alonso, the piece has now been restored and integrated into Yacyretá’s cultural and tourist circuit. The initiative aims to inspire visitors to appreciate Paraguayan art rooted in the country’s identity and natural beauty.
The legacy of Koki Ruiz
Delfín Roque Ruiz Pérez, affectionately known as Koki Ruiz, was born in 1957 in San Ignacio, Misiones. He was an architect, painter, and cultural promoter celebrated for blending art with faith and community. His iconic maize altar, built for Pope Francis’s 2015 visit, remains one of Paraguay’s most memorable artistic achievements. Ruiz passed away in 2024, leaving behind a body of work deeply intertwined with the country’s cultural soul.
The mural La Recolección de los Frutos symbolises the beginning and continuity of life. Crafted with humble materials: maize, clay, and natural fibres, his work depicts Guaraní (indigenous people) women collecting seeds. The piece represents not only agricultural abundance but also the harmony between humanity and nature. Therefore, mirroring the energy and water produced by Yacyretá’s dams.
Family and community recognition
During the inauguration, Macarena Ruiz, representing the artist’s family, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the tribute.
“This recognition honours my father’s memory and his artistic and cultural contribution,” she said. She described the mural as a reflection of Paraguay’s past, present, and future, a testament to creativity born from the land itself.
Through the Salón Koki Ruiz, his spirit continues to inspire future generations, an everlasting dialogue between art, nature, and the Paraguayan people.
