Sculpture Program

research opportunity - explore ancient techniques, ecological building methods, and indigenous crafting. You can then develop this knowledge into your sculptural practice back in the studio.

Antonella Raio IG: raioantonella

Collect your clay from a hidden place found on the land of kechwa potter Petrona, and grind 'Shaño' already fired pots into a powder ready to mix into the clay with the feet.

The concept is that we learn where the materials are sourced and process them the way the ancient cultures learned from their ancestors. Our sculpture program is for those who are physically able.

2-hour Walk to the native community of Chunchiwi, where we will walk through local farms to the spot where there is the best clay.
45-min walk to the local Kechwa home of Petrona we will begin to grind already fired pots called 'Shaño' into a powder on a Rumi stone.
We can then mix this powder into the clay with the feet the traditional way so that we have material to work with in the studio. Walk back to the studio.

option of one-day or four-day course in ceramics in the kechwa community of Wayku.

1-Day experience - Journey by car to the native capital Wayku, in the Town of Lamas. learn how to make a traditional ceramic shape and learn how to weave a chumbe belt.

Full Day : Learn how to build a traditional Kechwa ceramic shape, we can fire the work back at Sachaqa (more details below)

4-Day trip- learn how to make a large Tinaja (Water-vase), weave a chumbe (ancient weaving techniques), trip to waterfall Chapawanki and learn how to fire your pot on an open fire called shuntu firing.

We will journey by moto-taxi from Sachaqa Centro De Arte for about one hour directly to the indigenous town of Wayku. Here we will visit the home of ceramicist Gillermina, heaven for ceramics lovers. There are piles of clay everywhere which makes you feel hungry to start building. It is a really special experience to be welcomed into her home and spend time with a community that lives so close to ancient customs and traditions.

Day one: Begin your ceramics class in the morning, traditional lunch and in the afternoon we will learn to weave a traditional chumbe belt (optional). Tour of Lamas town. Overnight stay in the home of Guillermina or the option to journey back to Sachaqa.
Day two: Continue to build your pot in the morning and afternoon, lunch in the home of potter Guillermina. Overnight stay in the home of Gillermina or option to journey back to Sachaqa.
Day three: Continue to build your pot in the morning and after finishing your pot we can visit waterfall Chapawanki (optional)
Day four: After ten days we will return to fire your work on a large Shuntu fire, which we can recreate on the land of Sachaqa if you would like to experiment with making larger sculptures back in the studio (more information below).

Fire your ceramic sculpture traditionally

under-earth Kiln with Venezuelan artist Jesus

Under-earth kilns are an ancient technique used in the Andean region. We can also learn how to make
ceremonial instruments, reproduce ancient ceramic forms, and prepare molds with Jesus.

Fire your work on a 'Shuntu' traditional Kechwa open fire

To fire our ceramic sculpture on an open fire gives us a great opportunity to make larger experimental pieces. Fire plays an important role in the performance of Firing our sculpture in this way.

Visit the Chacra/farm of Don Angel

Search for materials such as ‘Atadijo’ natural rope traditionally used in construction. A small type of bamboo called Canabrava or a more delicate version called Chicosa. We can learn the technique of making baskets with a material that we strip from a plant. We carry the materials back to the studio or if you are unable to carry materials we can take a horse. Experience what it is like for the people who work on the farms and carry food and materials for shelter.

Learn ecological building techniques

Sachaqa was built using ecological building techniques and there are various local builders in the village who can weave palm for roofing and show us how to build a quincha wall.

Exhibition of your work -optional

At Sachaqa we give artists the opportunity to show their sculpture or we can fire your work in front of a live audience. Student/ Professional artist talk to invited guests – explanation of past work and development of new works made at Sachaqa.

Amy Reader - USA

http://www.amyreaderartist.com/mayatataw-rishanki-a-dnde-vas