Conductores de Venezuela, Public mural at Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Conductores de Venezuela is a large ceramic mural installed on the exterior wall of the university gymnasium. The composition is made up of thousands of small tiles that together form a continuous artwork depicting scenes of movement and transportation.
The mural was created between 1998 and 1999 by Venezuelan cartoonist Pedro León Zapata. The artist had studied under Mexican painter Diego Rivera, an influence that shaped his approach to this ambitious ceramic project.
The mural depicts historical Venezuelan figures such as Simón Bolívar and Teresa de la Parra driving different vehicles and moving through various scenes. This imagery connects the nation's past with everyday moments of transportation and progress that visitors can observe directly.
The mural is located on the exterior side of the campus at a highly visible location next to a main road. Visitors can best view it by walking from various campus entrances, and there is plenty of space for viewing and photography.
Each individual tile was manufactured by ceramist Ricardo Ceruzzi at the Pienme plant using specialized high-temperature kilns. This handcrafted production of tens of thousands of pieces demonstrates a commitment to traditional ceramic techniques applied to a contemporary large-scale artwork.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.