An imposing 6.5 meter bronze statue, in tribute to the singer Shakira, adorns the Gran Malecón of her hometown, Barranquilla, Colombia. Unveiled on Tuesday, December 26, the bronze statue of Shakira celebrates her artistic career and her lasting impact on this lively Caribbean city.
Unable to attend the inauguration, Shakira expressed her sincere gratitude for this honor. “This emotional tribute in my Barranquilla, the city where I was born and where my dreams took root, moves me deeply,” the singer dedicated to her parents and children.
The interpreter of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” and “Hips Don’t Lie” also declared: “I am very excited about this tribute to Colombian women and Barranquilla women inside and outside my land!”
Local artist Yino Márquez, along with a team of more than 30 workers, spent several months crafting the bronze statue of Shakira. The monument captures the singer’s iconic hip movements and sports a unique feature: a skirt that transforms into waves, made of aluminum and treated with varnish enamel to protect it from the weather elements.
Regarding the manufacturing process, Márquez shared: “We started with modeling in clay, followed by creating a silicone and fiberglass mold, and finally casting it in bronze. “It is a bronze cast with aluminum parts.”
Márquez further revealed that the design encapsulates the concept of transcendence, symbolized by Shakira’s upright posture, arms raised and a light cradled in her hands.
Shakira’s bronze statue also represents a beacon of hope for young girls. According to the mayor of Barranquilla, Jaime Pumarejo, this monument tells “millions of girls that yes, dreams are achievable, and that any of them can achieve whatever they aspire to.”
Shakira’s mother, Nidia Ripoll, expressed her joy at the statue’s inauguration, which coincidentally took place on her birthday. Shakira echoed her mother’s joy, describing the tribute as “the best gift” and a reflection of the warm hearts of the people of Barranquilla.
Shakira’s illustrious career includes three Grammy Awards, 14 Latin Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Awards, 13 Billboard Awards, 23 Lo Nuestro Awards and many other awards. Her albums and international tours have also racked up significant sales, further fortifying her global influence.
Shakira’s bronze statue stands as a testament to her incredible journey from Barranquilla to international acclaim, inspiring many to believe in their dreams and ambitions.
