
ECHOES OF BELONGING
"Echoes of belonging" takes you to the intricate tales of identity, weaving a delicate web of characteristics, beliefs, and lived experiences. Here, the journey of self-acceptance unfolds with raw authenticity, as each piece resonates with the quest for belonging, the silent struggle to fit within the world’s tapestry.
Through vibrant hues and textured layers, cultural heritage sings a hymn of diversity, celebrating the mosaic of humanity, where every fragment holds its own beauty. These works question the rigid lines of social norms, challenging the viewer to see beyond the surface, to find empathy and understanding in the shared stories of triumph and adversity.
This collection embraces the edge of duality, where pride and shame intertwine, a reflection of the complex emotions that arise from feeling both at home and alien. A narrative shaped by people and places, seen through the lens of distance and closeness. Together, forming a society that stumbles yet moves forward with grace.
Each canvas asks, “Where do you come from?” and listens to the myriad answers. Embracing the echoes of heritage, the silent whispers of roots, and the resonant chords of belonging. In the space between here and there, past and present, this collection free also its essence.

There is a miraculous place in the mountains of Peru where it seems time had stopped more than 500 years ago. Every year in early June when a prominent cluster of stars called “the Pleiades” return to the night sky in the southern hemisphere, more than 100,000 pilgrims know that the time has come to descend on the Milagros sanctuary in Ocongate. Entire families arrive on foot or on horseback, dancing and playing, for hours, with temperatures below 0° illuminated by the moonlight in a pilgrimage that lasts three days. The slopes of the snow-capped mountain are filled with carp. The faithful, the troupes and the eight nations from eight provinces dance, sing and pray asking for their most heartfelt wishes. In “Pukllanapata” from Quechua, “pukllay” what it means to play is where house brokers, judges, notaries and even priests perform their roles, symbolically representing the purchase of houses, cars, delivery of school and university degrees and even weddings, with the in order to achieve it. The dream market is one of the most ancient meetings in Peru, where peasants, winners and farmers ask for education, housing and work. They serve abandoned by the State, and cling to faith and traditions, to continue dreaming of a dignified quality of life.

In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where ancient trees stand tall and rivers flow full of life, there exists a tribe whose history is as old as the land itself. In this tribe, where the rhythms of nature dictate the pace of life, each day begins with the rising sun casting its golden glow over the canopy. This town, with sun-beaten faces and spirits as resilient as the trees, wakes up to the sounds of the forest. Led by their elders, who possess knowledge as vast as the roots that intertwine beneath the forest floor. They hunt in harmony with nature, their bows and arrows whispering stories of skill and patience. They fish in the rivers, where the waters teem with life, and collect fruits and plants that hold the secrets of healing and sustenance. But amidst the tranquility of their existence, whispers of change resonate. Beyond the dense foliage, the outside world invades their land, bringing with it unfamiliar faces and strange customs. The tribal elders, guardians of tradition, fear for the future of their people and the land they call home. However, in the face of uncertainty, the tribe remains steadfast. They share stories around the fire, passing on the wisdom of their ancestors from one generation to the next. They dance under the moonlit sky and their songs echo into the night, a celebration of life and unity. As the outside world draws closer, the tribe remains as guardians of the Amazon, defenders of the land and its secrets. They speak out against those who seek to exploit the forest for profit, advocating for protection and preservation for future generations. And so the story of the Amazon rainforest tribe lives on, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring bond between humanity and nature. Because in their harmony with the earth, they found strength, purpose, and a connection that transcends time itself.

Oil on canvas
1.60 x 1.20
2024

On a sun-drenched afternoon just south of Lima, Peru, the beach comes alive with the vibrant energy of privileged residents enjoying their day by the sea. Families gather under colorful umbrellas, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic sound of the waves. Children, with boundless enthusiasm, build sandcastles and chase each other along the shore, their joy mirrored in the sparkling ocean. Couples stroll hand in hand, their faces alight with contentment as they share quiet conversations, occasionally pausing to admire the modern and luxurious condominiums and apartment buildings that frame their idyllic retreat. Friends lounge on beach chairs, sipping on refreshing drinks, their camaraderie palpable as they exchange stories and bask in the warmth of the sun.Nearby, a group of surfers wax their boards, eyes scanning the horizon for the perfect wave, embodying the adventurous spirit that thrives in this coastal paradise. The scent of fresh seafood wafts from a chic beachfront cafe, where patrons indulge in culinary delights, the flavors of Peru infusing their meal with a taste of local culture. As the afternoon progresses, the scene transforms into a golden spectacle, the sun casting long shadows and painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The beachgoers gather to witness this natural wonder, a shared moment of awe and connection that transcends words.In this haven of relaxation and community, life’s pressures seem a distant memory. The beach is not just a place but a living, breathing story of human connection, luxury, and the simple pleasures that bind us all. Through this painting, the viewer is invited to join this narrative, to feel the warmth, hear the laughter, and experience the serene beauty of this privileged enclave by the sea.

More than 60 years ago, provincials like me arrived in Lima in search of a promising future and we moved forward with our own sacrifice, but without the support of any authority”; says Vicente Díaz, who in 1956 opened his first clothing business on block seven of Jirón Gamarra. You hear the movement, you feel the smell and the sound of the place and its people, but you cannot make an inventory of the thousands of colors that explode along the street, from wall to wall, from sky to ground. Here you can explore your creativity as an entrepreneur. Shops, restaurants, clothing workshops, street vendors, street vendors, businessmen, singers, street musicians and dancers, seamstresses, shooters, stevedores, a child making a drawing with chalk on the pavement, with a message that says: SUPPORT ART. Everything in constant movement, almost like a dance. It is impossible to stop and observe, the tide of people who seem not to rest, comes and goes. In this energetic place, full of life, work and workers, formed by Vicentes Vicentes. A large group of people in the center of Lima, in the largest textile center in the country, working, very close together. With this I want to represent perseverance and how hard it is to get ahead, in an industrialized but developing country. This is the case for most of the population, but also the illegality and constant competition.