By: María Isabel Abad L.
Let’s put it this way: Dora Luz Echeverría has been building herself like a house, a house with music and with silence, with art and with words. With your own room and others shared. With space for children and grandchildren, for friends, for love and also for loneliness.
It takes talent to be a house that sings - tangos, rancheras, boleros – and to continue opening spaces, at each stage of life, tailored to your own desire.
She is the daughter of the artist Dora Ramírez and the freedom that she embodied was her foundation. “I was not only so happy because my mother was my mother, but also because I was such a friend to her.”
During the pandemic, Dora Luz Echeverría recorded 222 videos with songs daily, with her sister Clara and her daughter María José, to bring music to the lives of many from a distance.
At the age of eight he knew freedom when his father was transferred, for two years, as technical vice president to Acerías Paz del Río, in Belencito, Boyacá. “That was a very happy time. From a social point of view, it was a delight. The children of the workers and foreigners went to my house and we went to them.” There, her mother also broke down internal walls and enjoyed the art and culture of which she was made, in a more open environment.
Therefore, when Dora-mamá returned to Medellín, she felt that her expanded soul did not fit within the social circle from which she had left. He decided to enter the Institute of Fine Arts, and the marriage slowly but definitively faded away, until he moved to work in Panama and created a new family there.
She had her parents as backup, who, despite the letters for her supposed downfall, supported her at all costs. The house in Caracas and Sucre suddenly opened in correspondence with the opening of the inner and outer world of Dora Ramírez. In the afternoon it was a youth meeting point; and at night, the center of local bohemia. Oscar Hernández, Manuel Mejía Vallejo and Carlos Castro Saavedra arrived there. Younger
He says that the greatest prize in architecture is not in the biennials but in the joy of clients when they enjoy a coffee in the house they have built.
After graduating from Marymount, which during that time offered him a more liberal environment than other religious schools, he decided to take a break. For a time he dedicated himself to reading and walking without a very defined vocation. And so he expanded inside by reading all the books in the library. The house that was was filled with words.
It was a friend of his brother who, a few months later, suggested that he study architecture and helped him with the steps to enter the National University. “Entering a public university was a complete discovery of the world. Because I lived in a very socially limited world, right? When I go there I meet wonderful people. In some way I felt again what I had felt in Belencito, which was one world.”
She did very well: she earned honors, was a student representative in ’68 and traveled to Europe with the theater group directed by Jairo Aníbal Niño, as the main actress. “University changed my life. Leaving from one pole to the other.” And so, as he crossed the city, he was also able to think about it. That is why the thesis that he did with several of his colleagues, called Goodbye to architecture, posed a strong criticism of the fact that architecture was fundamentally responding to economics. Despite not having been registered, this work won the national prize, because, upon seeing it, Rogelio Salmona, one of the jurors, had no doubt that this should be the winning work for a contest whose name was The Street for man.
It was also at the University, and not at home, that Manuel Mejía, her mother’s great friend, twenty-five years older than her, saw her for the first time as a woman after having seen her for many years as one of the girls at school. the house of Caracas. Thus began a courtship that lasted seven years. “What about the scandal?” she told her colleagues when they told her that they criticized her.
And one day the children arrived; Mateo, María José, Adelaida and Valeria, and with them a happy and loving motherhood, combined with classes and architecture projects, with parties at Ziruma, the Retiro house that was the epicenter of the cultural life of Medellín for many years , and with the long conversations with Manuel about life and about his books, in which she played a fundamental role due to her love of words “which are a delight” and for the structure that architecture gave her.
Until one day, without love leaving, separation came “to know what loneliness is like,” as the song says. The house that was became deep. He moved forward with the love of his children and became a diver, submerging his broken heart in the sea, which he says always brings him back to life.
Today she is still active in architectural projects that she carries out with her son Mateo, such as the expansion of the Jericó Museum (MAJA) and a theater in Apartadó; The guitar does not abandon her, and during the pandemic she recorded 222 videos with songs to put music to the silence of many.
She is a friend of her children, as she was with her mother, and art passes through all of them; In his hands he has the power to heal the scratches of his four grandchildren who brighten his life.
Sing Thanks to lifeby Violeta Parra, feeling each of the words of that song. And his throat is connected to his heart, that’s why he doesn’t say more or less than what he feels and his voice sounds deep and firm, as if he had a lot of space inside. Space to which many approach looking for shelter and light. She is Dora Luz, a great house of Golden Light, as her uncle León told her one day. When she was little she reconciled with her name, a name that since then has not stopped illuminating the house that she is.
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we explore the lives and works of extraordinary individuals. Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Dora Luz Echeverría, an artist who has built her life as beautifully as a house, filled with music, art, and the complexities of human experience. Dora, thank you for joining us!
Dora Luz Echeverría: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share my journey.
Editor: You describe your life as building a house with music, silence, art, and words. Could you elaborate on what this metaphor means to you?
Echeverría: Absolutely! Each room in this house represents different aspects of my life. Music is the melody that fills my spaces, while silence offers moments of contemplation. Art and words create vibrant walls that tell my story. Friends, family, love, and sometimes loneliness—each element contributes to the overall structure. It’s about creating a life that resonates with my desires and experiences.
Editor: Your mother, Dora Ramírez, played a significant role in shaping your artistic identity. Can you share some memories that highlight this influence?
Echeverría: My mother was my greatest teacher and friend. I cherished our bond, and her passion for freedom and art inspired me deeply. I remember our home being a lively place filled with laughter and creativity. She introduced me to the joys of music and culture, encouraging me to embrace my individuality. When we moved to Belencito, I experienced a kind of social freedom that changed me forever.
Editor: It sounds like your upbringing was rich and diverse. You mentioned feeling a sense of disconnection when you returned to Medellín after living in a more open environment. How did you navigate that experience?
Echeverría: It was challenging at first. I felt like my expanded soul didn’t fit in the smaller social circles I returned to. But instead of retreating, I sought new avenues for self-expression. I immersed myself in the arts and eventually enrolled in the Institute of Fine Arts, which allowed me to rediscover and redefine myself.
Editor: You also built a vibrant artistic community throughout your life. Can you describe the significance of the cultural gatherings at your home?
Echeverría: My house in Caracas and Sucre was a sanctuary for creatives. Oscar Hernández, Manuel Mejía Vallejo, and Carlos Castro Saavedra would often visit. These gatherings were more than social events; they were incubators for inspiration and collaboration. It was a space where ideas flowed freely and creativity thrived—a true reflection of a bohemian lifestyle.
Editor: During the pandemic, you recorded 222 videos with your family to bring music to people during a challenging time. What motivated that project?
Echeverría: Music has always been a source of connection and solace for me. During such a isolating period, I felt compelled to reach out to others and share that joy. My sister Clara and my daughter María José joined me in this endeavor. We wanted to provide some light and comfort through our songs, reminding everyone that we are never truly alone.
Editor: You mentioned your transformative experience at the university, especially the realization that architecture should serve people, not just economic interests. How did that insight influence your artistic practice?
Echeverría: It was a revelation! Studying at a public university opened my eyes to a larger world and taught me about the social impact of architecture. My thesis, Goodbye to Architecture, critiqued the economic focus of the field. Winning the national prize for that work affirmed my belief that art should prioritize human experiences, making life richer for those it serves.
Editor: You’ve had a remarkable journey filled with challenges and triumphs. What advice do you have for young artists who might be struggling to find their voice?
Echeverría: Embrace your individuality and remain open to new experiences. Be brave in expressing your truth, and don’t shy away from vulnerability—it can be your greatest strength. Surround yourself with a supportive community, and remember that creativity often flourishes in the most unexpected places.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences, Dora. Your life truly illustrates the beauty of resilience and creativity.
Echeverría: Thank you for this wonderful conversation. It’s been a pleasure to reflect on my journey and, hopefully, inspire others along the way!