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Margarita Villalva

"I'm Margarita Villalva Pérez and I was born in Huancavelica on October 17, 1967. I grew up with my father and my stepmother – he is an artist and she is an artisan. I attended an all-girls primary school in Huancavelica and high school in Huancayo. In Jauja, I studied music for a year, then went on to major in advertising art. Finally, I finished my studies at Lima's Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes.

"When I was still a child, I discovered that I was passionate about colors and shapes, life, and the beauty of nature and our folklore. My love affair with art began when I was a little girl, after school in my parents' house. I continued drawing and painting until I finally entered the School of Fine Arts. So art was always a part of my life project, as I felt – and still feel – the need to realize my dreams.

"My father worked as a designer and he'd often take me to work with him. He'd give me colors and sheets of blank paper to entertain myself. 'Paint whatever you want, Dear,' he'd say. Once he even introduced me to his boss. So I guess I'm a chip off the same block. I continued drawing and painting until I finally entered the School of Fine Arts. Art has always a part of my life project, as I felt – and still feel – the need to realize my dreams.

"When I was a girl, my hobbies were fishing and swimming in the river, and playing there in a natural setting. Today, I enjoy painting, dancing and travel. I've always been a great admirer of nature and of our culture.

"I'd describe my art as a new kind of abstraction. I need to depict, transmit and immortalize dreams, memories, longing and aspirations. I try to bring vivid daily experiences to my work along with admiration and care for nature. I find motivation in the richly magical, mystical world of our profound Peru.

"For me, this marvelous world of art is a window, part of a world all its own where everything is possible through form, color and texture. Where freedom is the main element of peace, happiness, strength and life.

"My greatest challenge as far as family is concerned has been getting to know my biological mother. My personal challenges have been to progress professionally and to be able to work doing what I love best – art.

"I'm very happy to show you my work through Novica. Its colors, light, shadow and textures are messages from a revealing spirit. My greatest intention is to reach peace, energy and a desire to live in order to discover how great and mysterious life is."

Margarita Villalva has exhibited her painting in a number of Peruvian venues, including the Museum of the Nation and the Centro Cultural de Bellas Artes, as well as in Singapore.