Close Window

Ricardo Diaz Mesinas

"Hello. I was born in Lima on December 21, 1962. From the time I was a boy, I loved the art of silver work. When I was only 13, I'd help my brother, who already knew how to work with this malleable metal. I'd help him prepare the pieces for the orders he received. With time, I perfected my work. "I was able to advance in this field thanks to a scholarship from the Inter-American Development Bank. It took me to the Piura city of Catacaos, famous throughout the world for its filigree work. The gold and silver work done there is its best known handicraft.

"I also studied in the Amautas National Institute of Artisan Development of Peru, and in the National Training Service of Industrial Work. When I graduated, I set up my own workshop and began creating and selling my own designs, which were very well accepted.

"I'd describe my work as powerful and beautiful adornments. Remember that in olden times, jewelry had multiple dimensions. It adorned the wearer and also denoted their place in the social hierarchy.

"I'm greatly inspired by the fleeting images that escape from my mind and materialize in symbols, forms and colors. I enjoy transmitting our art or imagination. My designs coincide more with personal character than with decoration; they become a part of the person who wears them.

"My greatest challenge is when I have to leave my family to travel for exhibitions or work. But it's reassuring to know that I'm taking our art to the world and bringing happiness to our home.

"I've shown my jewelry in the Museo de la Nación and in the Museo Nacional de la Cultura Peruana in Lima. In 1996, one of my filigree pectorals took first place in the Concurso Nacional Modelo Latina and, in June of 2002, I was invited by the Cultural Ambassador of Peru to participate in an artisan and jewelry festival in Milan, Italy. In 2003, I exhibited my designs in Miami, Florida.

"When you wear my jewelry, you wear a little bit of me as an artist. You are a part of my creative inspiration."