Welcome to the virtual “Mundo feliz de ACB”. Andrea Cecilia Bernal was a young woman who came to this world to spread love through art, compassion, and revolution. Andrea was born in Valparaiso, Chile on October 2, 1981. As a child Andrea was drawn to nature and urban landscapes. By the time she was 10 years old she began drawing her name on just about everything she could get her hands on. When Andrea reached her teenage years she became drawn to the rebellious hip hop energy that was slowly creeping through the streets of Chile. It was here where she found the kinetic world of graffiti. It allowed her to conquer her shy and reserved spirit. Through her graffiti pieces Andrea found her voice, and it was powerful. Her pieces featured intricate worlds where squirrels and panda bears played among green pastures, the moon and the sea.
As Andrea grew so did her ambition to travel and connect with other people. Her ever-evolving talents gained her the admiration of neighboring artists and activists. When Andrea turned 21 she hustled her way to Argentina and Brasil. Here, she painted with other graffiti writers and muralists. Andrea also had a knack for connecting with children. They would often approach her as she painted. Intrigued by her art, kids would crowd around her. Andrea would get a bucket of latex paint, ask them to dip their hands in it and then decorate her piece with their handprints. She would smile in delight and offer her trademark comment: “engh”. Eventually Andrea would live and travel throughout New York and France where she continued to burn walls and build with marginal communities. Skipping through Utica Avenue, rocking her “I Love Iraq” T-shirt while kicking it to the Rasta on the corner.
In June 2005 Andrea was visiting New York when she began experiencing sharp pains in her stomach. Andrea was concerned but as usual, her work was calling. She had been invited to Rio de Janeiro to work on a mural that summer. So off she went, as always, with that radiant smile of hers. Sadly, this was the last time Andrea would hold a spray-paint can. While painting in Rio the stomach pains kicked in, she dropped to the ground, and was rushed to the hospital. On July 12, Andrea was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. She fought bravely for 14 months. She endured every operation imaginable. But her brave soul could not fight the ill effects of chemotherapy. On November 19, 2006 the world lost a beautiful and talented human being. Andrea passed away gently in her sleep. She is survived by her parents Matilde and Jorge, and the multitude of people she befriended and touched with her art.
I feel how much you are missed and thank you for your part where ever you are, in guiding me to your beautiful family of friends that love you dearly. Hope you are resting peacefully... -oLi
