One afternoon in the Sacred Valley, we had the option to head to the studio of Pablo Seminario. I’m not an art connoisseur, but I do enjoy seeing art when I travel. It’s probably a good thing I travel light, as something always tempts me…but I never want to pay for the shipping back to the United States, so I’ll only buy what I can carry or pack. Which, considering I usually travel with my Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, isn’t much.
And dear husband usually polices me. Which is a good thing, really. Our condo can’t handle many more masks, paintings, figurines…you get the idea.
Seminario is actually quite well known throughout the world (not by me of course, my knowledge of art is far from enviable). He has pieces in Chicago’s Field Museum, and I believe the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. He blends the old with the new, using techniques from ancient cultures and blending in more modern elements to his pieces. He was actually in his studio when we visited, and spent some time explaining his more recent pieces. He crafts in a fashion called “Seminario Style” and creates typical pottery pieces in addition to what I think are more modern folk art pieces.
I found his recent work to be both intriguing and beautiful. It is absolutely the kind of thing (if I could afford it), that I would put into an entryway or to accent a beautiful hallway. You can find his more classic work in both his studio (and gallery) as well as in stores around Peru. Each piece of pottery is unique, and each is handpainted individually. I found his classic work to be very reasonably priced (but yet I abstained…I like things to match and bringing home a set of 6 plates or 6 mugs was just not going to happen).
Two of My Favorite More Modern Pieces…They Also Change Color When Turned
Classic Seminario Art Piece
Seminario Pottery Drying in the Sun
One of My Favorite Pieces, Hiding in a Planter. Unfortunately Not For Sale.
Seminario’s studio is definitely worth a visit, and I think it is open to the public though I believe a visit may need to be arranged in advance (if you want a tour–I think the gallery is always open). I’m not sure how often Seminario himself is in his studio, but it was fantastic to see him working on one of his massive new sculptures. His gallery and workshop is charming, off from the hustle and bustle of the street.
Oh, his llama is NOT friendly. Beware. You know what happens when unfriendly llamas get annoyed (I was fortunately not the recipient of the mouthful of cud/saliva).
