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Primitivo Evanan

"Amid ancient Andean civilizations, the memorization of oral wisdom is based on a mixture of images and words. Historic events are transmitted through narrations and songs, memorized by specialists, or amautas (Inca teachers and masters) with the help of quipus (knotted ropes) or images painted on charts. These charts were kept in special rooms of the palace of the sun…."

Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala represented the history of Peru's oppression through chronicles. And his descendent, Primitivo Evanán Poma, describes the situation of his town of Sarhua through the his ethnographic paintings. Set at more than 8,800 feet above sea level in the department of Ayacucho, Sarhua is the birthplace of Evanán Poma, who entered this world on June 18, 1944.

"I lived with my parents until I was 14. They were farmers and weavers who raised cattle," he recalls. "My father was able to finish primary school, but my mother was illiterate. I am a self taught artist based on the traditional tablas de Sarhua, and my art is popular art.

"I began because of a love for my community and its culture. In 1969, I began to reflect that art on the charts. In 1974, another painter from my town and I decided to begin recreating this art in the city of Lima, much as we did in our hometown. In 1981, we created the Association of Popular Artists of Sarhua, and our town's pictorial style began to become known.

"The new paintings done in Lima represent different aspects of life and culture in Sarhua that, in terms of social science, can be cataloged as ethnographic and pictorial descriptions of today's Andean world. Scientists have still not determined the beginnings of the Sarhua charts, but our townspeople keep them in their homes with pride and fervor. The traditional charts, or boards, measure an average of 6.5 feet in height and contain different scenes separated by flora, fauna and geometric motifs. In these scenes, family genealogy is represented from the bottom to the top of the composition. The last scene depicts heavenly bodies such as the sun, moon and stars, and mountains, and this gives the community productivity for their lives. Each traditional chart is given by a compadre upon the construction of the marital home in Sarhua, and this chart is fastened to the roof beam in the home's main room.

"I love the community where I was born very much. I love its culture and people. I remember that, when I was a boy, I almost died during a epidemic in my town when many children like me didn't make it. For this reason, I feel even more affection for my people and our lives.

"I enjoy raising guinea pigs, goats, sheep and cows. Another of my hobbies is being a reader, and a leader in popular art and other institutions.

"I describe myself as a popular artist, not a fine artist. My art is fascinating and I find motivation in my cultural identity – my self esteem increases each time I elaborate a chart. And I'm able to support my family through my art, with a marvelous wife who has always been by my side to help me while also raising our daughters. Today, everyone in our great family puts a part of their hands into the art of these charts and each tabla carries a bit of each one of us.

"I try to transmit Sarhua's art and culture, the themes of our lives and our people, so that they remain for future generations. I've had to face many challenges in life, such as the death of my mother, my mother-in-law and my oldest daughter, sickness and hospitalization, the theft of my savings, and being cheated and penniless because I lacked a steady job. But all this has made me stronger, and has helped me get ahead. I strive to be better every day, together with my family."

Primitivo Evanán's work has been exhibited in a number of Peruvian cities and also in Berlin, Copenhagen, Jerusalem, in Chile, Denmark, Sweden and Argentina. In 1990, he was awarded the category of Grand Master in Lima.