pre hispanic art

In this striking oil painting in cubist style, Peruvian artist Miriam Chipana showcases abstract shapes that evoke designs from pre-Hispanic ceramics and textiles. The circular signs and bands of curved and undulating lines are inspired by symbols of water and earth, associated with fertility in the Inca worldview.

Titled Huellas in Spanish.

Glittering golden arcs recall the tumi, or ceremonial knives used by pre-Hispanic Andean cultures. The pebbled texture alludes to the peanut, a food staple, and the forms themselves represent ornaments found in the tomb of the Lord of Sipan. Teodoro Reque Liza conjures gold, water and a luminous sky. "This alludes to the Moche culture that developed on the northern coast of Peru," he says. "The darker area represents the time spent underground by these artifacts. The lighter zone symbolizes their discovery. But at the same time they make reference to the duality in ancient thought – life and death, tears and laughter, good and evil. My palette represents the sky, the day, the sacred sun."

Titled "Ayer" in Spanish.

Working with a bold color palette and a Cubist-inspired style, Dingi Guari of the Multiverse Group creates this fascinating original painting. The artist works in oils, acrylics and encaustic on canvas board to paint the composition, which depicts the artist's interpretation of pre-Hispanic deities.