International Art Dealer Sunil Vilas exclusive interview’s Herminia Haro Guzman Peruvian artist

It gives me great pleasure to introduce our next guest to our VIP Lounge from the continent of South America – Peru

Herminia Haro Guzman

For many years I have been fascinated by the stories from one of greatest civilization in the World – The INCA. In today’s conversation we will follow the period before and after The Incas. As I believe there is a strong connection with the development of arts and culture of the Peruvian people of today.

We should as a group explore this and look into other possibilities of finding the connections of the hidden secret of one of the greatest civilization of the World.

I am joined today with my next guest who is already known to us for her active involvement in our monthly theme exhibition,  Herminia Haro Guzman will talk about the finest works of ceramic collection which continues to be passed through generation of families and tribes of Peru.

The tradition of ceramic artefacts produce many years ago continue to be a skill that has found its place in today’s modern world.

1.  Sunil – Which period from your traditional cultures do you believe influenced your work the most?

Herminia –  well Sunil,  it is difficult to choose just one.

The Peruvian traditional ceramic I like the most are from Mochica Culture (Early Intermediate),

Huari Culture (Middle Horizon),

Chancay Culture (Late Intermediate)
From Mochica Culture I love the realism and sculptural presentation of their work, that let us know how was their life.
From Huari Pottery I rescue the use of symbolism in their geometrical designs, the representation of faun in their modeling and the use of earth colors.

From Chancay Pottery I love the simplicity in their lines and designs that express the peaceful environment where they lived. To me, their ceramic – seen from now – is kind of avaunt garde

If something defines my work is the open spaces I use on my designs, that’s an influence of stirrup holders of most Peruvian traditional pottery.

Sunil I see you have been influenced by the best of all the different period for what they represented as part of your cultural development and also see that through your work we are witnessing the living example of the quality of refined work for which Peruvian ceramic art was once renowned.

I am delighted to able to see your ceramic collection and I must emphasis how important your work will play in influencing today’s modern ceramic artists in both South America and new emerging artists over here in the West.

Q2.   Sunil – Is the tradition of ceramic pottery still important in your culture?

Herminia  – No!  Sunil,  unfortunately the tradition of ceramic pottery hasn’t had the importance it had in the past. After the invasion of the Spanish conquistadors, more than 500 years ago, original cultures were avoided and gradually almost all that knowledge vanished. Only a few small towns persisted doing pottery, maybe their geographical situation and difficulty of access was to be blame for this.

Q3.   Sunil  – Is the ceramic pottery art taught to school children as part of your cultural development?

Herminia – .No!, again,  Sunil  it’s a shame but traditional cultures history is not been taught in the schools as a part of the course on Peruvian History. Their knowledge is not used in Peru. The few towns that still make pottery don’t use the same techniques as traditional the cultures did.

Q4.    Sunil  – Do you believe Peruvian pottery has a role to play in the future?

Herminia  –  Sunil of course, Peruvian pottery reached a high level in design and beauty and deserves to be known by the world. Artist must be aware of it as well as they’re aware of antique world cultures.

Being an inspiration to contemporary creativity would be an important role Peruvian pottery would reach.

Sunil –  I am in strong agreement of the cross roles that Peruvian ceramics as artifacts and designs can play its part overhere in the  West including the new emerging markets of Dubai,  India and China.

Q5.   Sunil  –  Could you describe yourself in three words and one to be a colour?

Herminia  – I am happy to  firstly sensible,  loyal,  blue.

This is what describe your personality and characteristic about yourself that people close and good friends find in you.

Blue is the color of the Virgin Mary, and is associated with women who have similar pure qualities

Blue usually indicates femininity, life, purity, etc., just as water does.

Blue symbolize Peace, calm, stability, security, loyalty, trustworthy, confidence, conservatism, cleanliness and very orderly.

Q6.    Sunil –  If you had the opportunity to play a major role in the development Peruvian ceramic art.

What would you like to do to make a big change that we can influence involving Globalization ICAS?

Herminia –  Firstly if we could help where possible to help in the recognition of traditional Peruvian pottery to be high level and its promotion to the world as well.

In fact,  this issue must be a Peruvian government politics. Maybe we,  the member of Globalization ICAS could take this challenge and together as an organization that represents interest of all arts work towards the rescue from the forgetfulness the Art of ancient cultures like to Peruvian one, promoting them with our own work.

Just one of the possibilities is to help rise Peruvian pottery as working together we could affect change.

Sunil –  Herminia our interview today will send a strong message around the globe and you have my complete support to do all that is possible to influence the changes in International Art market to make plans for both Peruvian Art and for the ceramic collectors to realize the importance and their true values that in its own right it deserve and I believe overtime become priceless works of Art.

Our immediate plans are to start working with dedicated members including Museums, Institutions, and galleries in Peru and here in the West to play a role to make this dream a reality to safeguard  the future and  develop the demand of Peruvian ceramic art.

I take this opportunity to wish you great success with your own ceramic pottery collection

CELEBRATION OF  THE  WORLD  OF   PERUVIAN  CERAMIC   COVERING  THE  INCA  CULTURE

 The oldest pre-Inca culture in Peru (1500 BC. – 300 BC.), they inhabited on the Andean basin of the MarañónRiver and the “Callejón de Huaylas”. Its main cultural centre was “Chavín de Huántar”.It was a wandering nation, of great cultural and religious influence in other contemporary cultures of the coast and mountain; its influence area reached from Tumbes to the north, Nazca to the south, and the wild area to the east.

In the early age of this culture, it was a wandering town of hunters and collectors; then it became urban, with development of agriculture, cattle rising, metallurgy and an incipient textile technique. It was a town of religious and warrior organization.

Their ceramic frequently in a globular shape worked by hand with very fine clay. Defined shape, right necks and handles like stirrups. They used the black and gray colour, outstanding decorations with incisions and figures in relief, in which the permanent presence of drawings of a deity in feline form with bird claws; of inferior technique in comparison to other Peruvian cultures.

The searching of primary Peruvian ceramics came from the coast, from 1800 to 1300 BC. Their use was not only for utilitarian purposes but for rituals and funeral exequies.

Refined shapes and styles were developed in ceramic totally different from the antique world, achieving a high artistic level. Different hand-made methods was used, such as modeling, pallet, moulds and the decoration was based on mineral and vegetable pigments.

The principal cultures of Ancient Peru that developed ceramic were from:

EARLY HORIZON

The Chavin culture was a civilization that developed in the Andes of the North of the coast of Peru between the years 900 BC to 200 BC. The Chavin culture was developed in the formative stage of the history of the Peru and belongs to the cultures of the first Cultural horizon and from the south coast – Paracas.

CHAVIN CULTURE  – The representation of Jaguar is one of the principal characteristic in their designs as well as its sculptural and narrative tendency and its chromatic sobriety.

PARACAS CULTURE  – This ceramic was more singular, with a variety of modeled shapes and well-recognized for its polychronism.

EARLY INTERMEDIATE

From 200 to 700 AC. This period is considered the most creative of Pre-Columbian world because the variety of styles and great technique in ceramic as well as in textiles and metallurgy. The principal cultures that belong to this period are:

MOCHICA CULTURE –  From the septentrional coast of Peru this culture inherited the Cupisnique tradition on pottery, based on globular bodies crowned with stirrup holders. The predominant colors were ochre, red and yellow-white and developed complex, mythological fantastic figures. The cleanness of their trace allows an easy reading of the represented scenes.

In terms of evolution we must say that in early phases the sculptural ceramic dominated but at the end of its development a more colorful tendency is evident.

VICUS CULTURE

– Localized in the extreme north of Peru. They share stylistic strokes with Ecuadorian cultures. Characteristics of this culture are the double body pottery usually joined with a bridge holder and its rudimentary appearance.

NAZCA CULTURE  – From the southern coast of Peru, they inherited Paracas tradition and reaffirmed local tendencies developing a high level in polychrome, then in the intermediate  phases their characteristic style was known for the variety of symbolic elements like head awards and fantastic figures. As the final of its development their motives turned more abstract and difficult to identify.

MIDDLE HORIZON

From 700 to 1100 AC. Its origin is from Ayacucho and it’s defined for the Huari Culture.

HUARI CULTURE  –  Inherited Nazca and Tiahuanaco tradition. Their ceramic kept the geometrical tendency combined with a vivid polychrome.  The influence of this culture covered all Peruvian territory during its hegemony. Along the disintegration of Huari all different regions came back to their respective artistic patterns integrating in their way elements of this important culture.

LATE INTERMEDIATE

From 1100 to 1400 AC. During this period regional styles became more evident. The most representative were :

. From the northern coast : Chimu Culture

. From the central coast : Chancay Culture

. From the southern coast : Ica – Chincha Culture.

These kingdoms and confederations were conquered by the Incas on XV century, when they ended.

CHIMU CULTURE  –  The ceramic of this culture was essentially sculptural with predominance of black color on their fine polished pieces, most of them crowned with stirrup holders. The capital of Chimu was Chan – Chan in the actual Trujillo city, considered the center of the last great kingdom that proceeded the conquer by the Incas.

 CHANCAY CULTURE  –  From the north of Lima city, their production registered a variety of shapes in pottery with religious themes and representation of faun and flora in the designs as well as black decorations over white painted pottery.

ICA – CHINCHA CULTURE  –  Well known for its fine polychrome ceramic. The simple shapes of their designs had a geometrical character with a singular order in the patterns combining a sober scale of colors.

LATE HORIZON

From 1400 to 1532 AC. Defined by Inca Culture.

INCA CULTURE  –  At the beginning of XV century the Inca kingdom from Cuzco defeated their neighbors and then began the military conquer of all Andean territory, constituting the great Tahuantinsuyo Empire.

Their ceramic had a limited repertory of shapes but decorated with naturalistic stylized designs with geometrical predominance. The most known piece of this period is the Aribalo, a big pot of severe design and sober decoration.

I would like to thank you Herminia for all the help you provided in researching material that we are able to share today!!!

BIOGRAPHY

Herminia Haro was born in the northern city of Trujillo, Perú and started drawing since her early childhood – mostly in Primary School.

Completed High School she moved to Lima to study a career in Finance and accountancy. Along the first year of University study she realized it wasn’t for her, instead of this, she graduated as she’d promised to her parents. Soon she alternated office work with the study and practice of ceramic, drawing and painting.

While learning ceramic her admiration for Peruvian Traditional Pottery increased exponentially, singular lines and designs of most of the cultures captured her and became a constant inspiration to her work.

She quit her office job on 2001 in order to take care of the health of her child but continued doing Ceramic and painting.  Art became her inherent to her daily life, she persevered and never look back.

STUDYING

–         Mokichi Okada Foundation (MOA), Ceramics – Graduated

–         Art Museum of Lima (MALI), Integral Art Course – Graduated

–         Diverse   Ateliers.

COLLECTIVE CERAMIC EXPOSITIONS :

–        Mokichi Okada Foundation, 1995 and 1996

–        Peruvian Italian Cultural Institute, 1996

–        Cultural Center of CatholicUniversity of Perú

Theme : “Water, Earth and Fire”, May 1997

–        Exposition Salon at PuebloLibreMunicipality of Lima

Theme: “Simply Forms”, 2000.

COLLECTIVE  PAINTING EXPOSITIONS :

–        Art Gallery of  Banco de Comercio Foundation of Lima

Theme: “Revelations”, June 1998

–        Art Gallery of  Banco de Comercio Foundation of Lima

Theme: “Ingenuous Moments”, April 1999.

–        Exposition Salon at PuebloLibreMunicipality of Lima

Theme: “Remembers” 2000.

RECOGNITIONS :

–        First Honorable Mention at  “1^st Artcraft Peruvian Design National Contest”, 2004

–        Finalist at “LXXVIII La Rambla Ceramic Contest” – Cordoba, Spain

Issue : “Design and new forms in Ceramic”, 2008.

 

Related articles

LINK TO OUR STORY

 

• Peruvian museums are spread out all over the country. TheMuseo de Arte de Lima

http://www.mali.pe/historia.php#1

• After two years building the collection, the National Museum of Peru was finally opened in 1990

http://www.limaeasy.com/

• The Lima Art Museum – MALI – LimaEasy

http://www.limaeasy.com/culture-guide/museums-lima/the-lima-art-museum-mali

• The Incan Empire was the largest empire of pre-Columbian America and, in modern times

http://www.donquijote.org/culture/peru/history/inca-empire

• Culture of Peru | Discover Peru

http://www.discover-peru.org/culture-peru/

 

Our interview continues with feedback from fellow members of Globalization ICAS

 

Vered Terry • Israel

OUR HERMINIA !!!!!

Herminia Haro •  Peru

Thank you so much Sunil for giving me the opportunity of show my work and let the world know more of Peruvian ancient pottery.

Thank you dear fellows members for your kind words.
Ranjan, glad to hear you’re interested in other Peruvian Arts. I’ll do my best to let you all know.

Sunil Vilas •      England  UK  –

Good morning Nikolas and Herminia is it wonderful to discover connection that existed between the two civilizations, similarities with art and cultural development.
Perhaps a question to Nikolas is ceramic pottery still an important in Greece?
Another question to Herminia not long ago I interviewed Shiho Kanzaki Japanese ceramic potter were their pottery was a symbol of the Japanese people. Their pottery provided many functions to develop their culture and tradition and still continue to play an important role today.
Do you believe this maybe also the answer to revive and develop ceramic pottery within the Peruvian people?

                

Sunil Vilas

Founder

Good morning to all our GICAS member around the Globe.., welcome to our creative lounge a doorway to escape to another WORLD OF ART ..,
enjoy and experiences first hand as we go back in time to one of the Greatest Civilization The INCA Period

 

Herminia Haro

Independiente at Taller propio

Thank you Sunil for posting this interview and for to invite to take a look to the Great Ancient Peruvian Civilization, Inca and Preinca. It’d interesting to know wich period the majority likes the most.

Sunil Vilas

Founder

Good morning to all our members around the Globe, hope you had a restful weekend.., Yes !! Herminia all our interviews are special in their own way to bring forward ART from every sectors, same time share and involve our GICAS members to exchange their culture that is rooted also in their ART.

It’s a lovely gesture for our members to get to know about WORLD ART.., perhaps once again going through our interview to appreciate the difference forms, shapes and colours that changed through the period.. As Herminia suggested which period would you select as being the BEST.., GT ancient Peruvian, or INCA or PreINCA? We could add further discussion on the range that you select..,

So lets us all participate in this mini census to get your views!!!

 

Pushkin E H

Artist, Writer at Freelance

A very beautiful and important presentation. Herminia’s decision to quit management careers and to become an artist is successful now because your artistic creations are probably treasures to the art world. Herminia is too an excellent model to the new generation struggling to take better decisions about their professions. If we study Herminia ceramic works carefully, we can find those are not only creatively generated but also aesthetically ‘infused’ with the fabulous Peruvian tradition and culture. Mr. Sunil’s splendid talk to Herminia about her life and art is too touched as excellent. Congratulations!

Sunil Vilas

Founder

Good morning to all our members around the Globe, hope you enjoying a fine lovely morning into Tuesday, still lots to do before the weekend!!!…,

Pushkin welcome to our creative lounge thank you for your comments to Herminia..,As I was born and grew up in Africa I also understand the struggle Herminia has to go to establish a name for herself plus receive true value for her ART. As members of Globalization ICAS we all have a role to play to help in anywhere possible to support and spread the ART to wider market. The main area that concerns me is Peruvian pottery should be taught and encourage to younger generation to better understand their culture & heritage. Working closely with members like Herminia we hope we could help to develop a long term program to reverse the problem..

Pushkin if you could participate in or small census by answering which period of ceramic pottery you enjoyed the most, do add your reasons for your decision.., thank you

Herminia Haro

Independiente at Taller propio

Thank you Pushkin and Sunil for your opinions about my work and the works my ancestors from ancient peruvian cultures had given to the world.. Thank you both for light up my day.

 

Pushkin E H

Artist, Writer at Freelance

The existence of ‘ceramic art’ by our ancestors thousands of years ago is now a teeming artistic prospect. For example the ‘Venus of Dolni Vestonice’, created Before 25,000 BCE by unknown artist to ‘Pieza ceramica 1’ by Herminia Haro of Peru is an amazing transfiguration of the history of ceramic art.

‘There is a long history of ceramic art in almost all developed cultures, and often ceramic objects are all the artistic evidence left from vanished cultures, like that of the Nok in Africa over 2,000 years ago. The oldest ceramics known in the Americas — made from 5,000 to 6,000 years ago — are found in the Andean region, along the Pacific coast of Ecuador at Valdivia and Puerto Hormiga, and in the San Jacinto Valley of Colombia; objects from 3,800 to 4,000 years old have been discovered in Peru.

I likes all ceramic art especially by individual ‘creative/artists’ (rather than mass products by factories for decorative determinations). Introduce ‘Ceramic Evolution’ as a brilliant subject/activity to the existing and coming generations to understand the wonders our ancestors has been created, possibly in hostile circumstances and limits rather than wasting precious time and wealth for ‘marketed’ visual junks and devices. The world should be proud of Herminia Haro for her creativity and long struggle for the wellbeing of Pottery and Ceramic Art.

Sunil Vilas

FounderWelcome back Pushkin to our creative lounge thank you for adding a broad historical reference to the exciting story of World of ceramic Art. With our advancement in computer technology we are able to share the knowledge as we do today!!!But things were different 3000 to 6000 year ago.., while we can still trace the skills and creative artefact of South America with the ancient Egypt to across over Europe with Roman & Greek empires to Prussian, Indian and finally Chinese & Japanese dynasty all produce hand made pottery that today are all priceless works of Art..,

To follow our EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS with International art Dealer – SUNIL VILAS:

 

WE  WELCOME  ENQUIRY  FOR  HERMINIA HARO GUZMAN ‘S  CERAMICS;

INCLUDING  PRIVATE  &  CORPORATE  COMMISSION

contact: SUNIL VILAS

Contact us email:  info@vilascollection.co.uk    / GlobalizationICAS@gmail.com

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