The River Cat ("El Gato del Río") is a sculpture by Colombian artist Hernando
Tejada. The sculpture was inaugurated on July 3, 1996 and is located on the
side of the Cali River in Cali, Colombia. Over time, it has turned into a
famous landmark of the city[1] along with the monument to Sebastián de
Belalcázar and Cristo Rey.
Today the area near the sculpture has turned into a park with cat sculptures
by several artists known as the Parque El Gato De Tejada or the "Cat
Park".
The Cat's Brides (Las novias del gato)
In 2006, the city planned a revitalization project for the area, which
included adding new sculptures near El Gato del Río by other artists.
The project consisted of adding 15 new cat sculptures of the same size and
shape but painted by different Colombian artists. These new cat sculptures
became known as Las novias del gato ("the cat's girlfriends"). Famous
Colombian artists contributed cats, including Maripaz Jaramillo, Roberto
Molano, Diego Pombo, Cecilia Coronel, Pedro Alcántara, and Omar Rayo.
Today, there are more than 15 cat sculptures exhibited and some of these have
been distributed throughout the city.
|
The River Cat ("El Gato del Río")
In 1996, a plan was
created to beautify the banks of the Cali River on the city’s north
side. For this project, Tejada donated this sculpture to the city. The
sculpture was created in bronze in the studio of Rafael Franco in
Bogotá. To transport the sculpture to the city, the roof of the studio
had to be removed.[3]
-
El Gato del Río was inaugurated on July 3, 1996, which is celebrated
as the independence day in Cali. The monument was situated on the
Avenida del Río in an area with high foot traffic.
-
Below the sculpture is a plaque that reads: «The River Cat. Bronze
sculpture by master Hernando Tejada. Under the auspices of the
governor of Valle del Cauca, Germán Villegas Villegas, and the mayor
of Santiago de Cali, Mauricio Guzmán Cuevas. Santiago de Cali, July 3,
1996.»
|
|
The Cat's Brides (Las novias del gato)
These colorful
fiberglass sculptures of female cats were created as companions to the
iconic bronze statue El Gato del Río, sculpted by Hernando Tejada.
-
Originally installed in 1996, the male cat sculpture became a cultural
symbol of the city. A decade later, in 2006, the Cali Chamber of
Commerce launched a public art initiative inspired by the CowParade to
revitalize the area and find a "bride" for the famous feline.
-
The project began with 15 fiberglass cat sculptures designed by
Alejandro Valencia, Tejada’s nephew. Local artists were invited to
decorate each cat and imbue them with unique personalities and
stories. The public was then asked to vote for their favorite, and the
winning sculpture—Fogata, created by Roberto Molano González—was
crowned the official bride. However, the public’s affection for the
other cats was so strong that they petitioned for all the sculptures
to remain. What was meant to be a temporary exhibit evolved into a
permanent and growing collection.
-
Over time, more "brides" were added, each with its own artistic flair
and backstory. Some notable examples include Yara, Diosa de las Aguas,
inspired by Amazonian mythology; La Gata Bandida, a pop-art tribute to
famous cartoon cats; and La Gata Presa, a geometric abstraction by
Omar Rayo. These sculptures are now scattered throughout the city,
transforming Cali into an open-air gallery and turning the area around
El Gato del Río into a vibrant cultural park.
-
Today, Las Novias del Gato are more than just public art—they are a
symbol of Cali’s creativity, community spirit, and affection for its
feline icon. The installation has become a major tourist attraction
and a source of local pride, blending humor, art, and urban renewal
into a uniquely Colombian experience.
|
See Also
Source
Location
