JOSE QUIÑONES

• JOSE QUIÑONES (2008) series –  1/25
• Serigraphs – 19.7 x 27.6 inches (70 x 50 cm.)
• Numbered – original artist signature – watermark – certificate
• Hand printing over cotton paper.

Hero of Peruvian Aviation, Quiñones was born in Puerto Pimentel, Chiclayo, in 1914.

During Perú’s war with Ecuador in 1941, Quiñones was part of the squad whose mission was to photograph the terrain of events and locate the enemy’s positions. On July 23, 1941, Quiñones, on board his plane named Pantera, overturned on the Ecuadorian post of Quebrada Seca and was hit by enemy fire. The young aviator could have parachuted out of his aircraft since he was an expert; however, he preferred to crash his engulfed plane into flames against the enemy target, which destroyed it. This act of heroism was even recognized by the Ecuadorians themselves when handing over his remains. Quiñones was just 27 years old.

The Peruvian government posthumously promoted him to Aeronautical Captain for his death in action of arms. In 1966, the Congress of the Republic of Perú declared him a national hero and declared July 23 of each year as the Day of The Military Aviation in Perú.

“Perhaps he’s the hero I have had the hardest time writing about because of a sad chapter in my life story. The oldest of my uncles, Jaime, the hero of the family, had taken my grandmother out of servility by carrying out an extraordinary career in the Air Force. Unfortunately, Jaime had a practice air accident and died in Chiclayo, Quiñones’ homeland.

José Abelardo Quiñones died at the age of 27. It was a personal decision to board his aircraft to achieve his goal, ‘kamikaze’. His heroic feat transcended borders, yet with time, he’s become one of our stars clouded by ungrateful oblivion. —Cherman