Nicario Jimenez

Retablos are sophisticated Folk art in the form of portable wooden boxes filled with brightly colored figurines arranged into intricate narrative scenes. My compositions depict religious, historical and everyday events important to the indigenous people of the highlands of Peru. However, I portray life beyond my native Peru, and focus on the world I experience as I travel to exhibit my work. My hands move quickly and with confidence to fashion people, animals, and mythical figurines as I create poignant scenes from a doughy mixture of boiled potato and gypsum powder. For the sculpting process, the only tool I use is a small piece of wood resembling and enlarged toothpick.One of my works is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution.