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Lucy Angulo

"I'm Lucy Angulo Lafosse and I was born in Lima on April 19, 1947. I was a premature baby, born at only seven months, and no one thought I would live. I spent my first years with my brothers and sisters in Huanuco in a setting of nature and of sophistication, an interesting combination for the beginning of my dreams. I've been mischievous and creative from childhood.

"I first attended a religious primary school, and later studied public relations and marketing. For a while, I worked in this field in TV. In 1979, I enrolled in the Escuela Nacional Autónoma de Bellas Arte in Lima. I received a master's degree from Mexico's Universidad Nacional Autónoma in 1982, then went to Germany to study in the Berlin School of Art's free workshops.

"When I decided to study art, my family opposed it. They thought I was going to lead a bohemian life and they are very conservative. I got married but, as time went by, I felt as though I died a little every day because I couldn't paint. When I applied to the School of Fine Arts, I didn't tell anyone until I was accepted. At that time I was expecting a baby but that didn't discourage me. It was a challenge, but I graduated.

"I spent the next seven years studying with my child on my back, as it were, but I was happy. From that moment on, I never stopped painting. I graduated in 1980 and I'd do it all again because my effort was worth it. I feel alive every single day. Art awakens my spirit and keeps it awake.

"I was a student at the Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Lima during its most conflictive period. The school was taken over four times, the academic year was restructured, communication was cut off and, during these years of political unrest, our generation emerged strong. We carried out many collective projects. We created art guilds and associations. I belong to the Class of 1980 and, on my own, I researched Andean culture for more than 15 years and was able to achieve that the world now accepts the term 'Andean Culture.' Today it is considered as one of the few 'Mother Cultures' like that of Egypt, China, etc.

"I always knew that my life had to have meaning. From the time I was a little girl, I had this dream. Because of the love I feel for our life and culture, I think the best way I can serve is through art. I feel life and love. I feel as though I am close to the creator.

"I remember when I was in my first year of university, I was seven months pregnant. My classmates wanted to nominate me as Queen of Spring but there was no way I could walk down the runway with my big tummy. I was ashamed to. But it was so sweet of them to suggest it that I still remember their kind wishes.

"In Germany in 1982, I met Joseph Beuys. We talked a lot and he invited me to join his workshop but I already had my plane ticket home. However I remained in contact with him and his photographer, Uttte Kaplaus. They were fascinated when I talked about our Peruvian culture and this was a delightful exchange.

"As a girl, I enjoyed putting on plays, singing, reciting and mixing my mother's remedies. This must have been the origin of my development as an alchemist. Today I read a lot about books on obscure knowledge, books on anthropology, on making perfumes, combining colors. I see the beautiful sea and I live on the shore. I feel blessed by life and I give thanks.

"I'd describe my art through the thread that leads me through my research on this culture. Through our myths, I look for a sign that gives me the freedom to express myself. At first, this was by way of dreams, later through an incident or another. Now things just flow. I interpret the inner nature of things with an almost abstract language. In this way I feel free to initiate a pictorial dialogue. If I paint, I feel that I exist, that life is beautiful. I enjoy feeling like a witness to my time. I transmit the concept that ethics are everywhere, especially in the image. This carries a great responsibility. My works are concentrated energy.

"For me, art is the most noble form of expression the human being has, where spirit, intuition, science and reason come together in transformation.

"My greatest challenge has been to study, support myself, work and make it alone with just my daughter. I've persevered in my convictions about my country and its culture, often met with indifference, in order to be a teacher and conductor of creation and respect my students' individuality.

"Finding Novica was a lovely surprise. Through them, globalization is not only about economy but a globalization of the soul through art and culture."

The artist has exhibited her work in many individual shows throughout Peru as well as in Cuba, Sao Paulo, Germany, New York and Miami.