The Usko-Ayar Amazonian
School of Painting
by The Electric Gallery
The Usko-Ayar (Quecha term for "Spiritual Prince") is more than an art school. It is an institution devoted to the rescue and preservation of the knowledge and the traditions of the indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon. Their art is a documentation of the flora, fauna, and culture of the Amazon, and it promotes and preserves the traditional knowledge of medicinal and other plants of this region. Usko-Ayar painters are inspired by the flora and fauna of this jungle habitat, and recreate their personal experience in their paintings. Ranging in age from 8 to 24 years, these young artists come from humble families. The descriptions of the paintings that you see here are the translations into English of the comments of the painters themselves. Select the image on the left above to go to their paintings. The Usko-Ayar Amazonian School of Painting was created in 1988 through a collaboration of Peruvian painter and Shaman, Pablo Amaringo, and the Colombian anthropologist Luis Eduardo Luna and his wife, Sirpa Rasanen. The first pupils remain today as teachers, and the school has more than 700 students. The school is open to all and is free of costs. Art materials and other expenses are met by sales of paintings; half is paid to the painter. These paintings are available for purchase from The Electric Gallery. Visit the "Amazon Project" and see the entire collection of paintings, more information about the artists and their art.
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