Peruvian Art takes center stage at the Paterson Museum

September 16,2010

Peruvian Art takes center stage at the Paterson Museum

By Orville Morales

To be seen in print in Passaic County Pulse

                September 15^th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, witch is the , as it coincides with many anniversary of independence for various Latin American Countries.  Although Peru independence was in July, it was Peruvian culture that was celebrated on Sept. 16^th at the Paterson Museum.  

On this pleasant evening, the Esquiche family which included Miguel, his sons Katiuska, Richard Miguel and Ronald Esquiche, introduced the audience to Peruvian culture as depicted by the artwork created by Miguel Esquiche.  They also had musical renditions of folk music with instruments such as the Siku, or an Andean panpipe where demonstrated.   

Another aspect of this event was the stunning presentation of the Danza de las Tijeras (scissors dance), which is a historical dance that is identified with impressive visual dress and great skills of gymnastic movement in rhythm to the music while holding in one hand a set of disconnected metal scissors and playing a tune to the music.   

Very talented Scissor Dancers

Miguel Esquiche shared, “My paintings and artwork are the products of the blood that runs through my veins as a legacy of my ancestors, the native Peruvians.  Each portrait represents a link of the immense chain that unites all natives of the Americas, links that will keep multiplying throughout time.” 

The artwork displayed throughout the Museum’s art gallery where vivid depiction of the indigenous peoples life which included representations of their beliefs such as the Duality of Paracas as dualism is a concept believed by ancient Peruvians of the existence of dualism in their world: Sun;Moon, Man;Woman, Good;Evil, Cold;Heat, Earth; Water, etc.  

Duality of Paracas by Miguel Esquiche

The artwork will continue to be displayed until Oct. 15^th.