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Alberto Cueva Mendoza

Armed with his chisel and endless imagination, Alberto Cueva Mendoza creates products representing the unique artistry of the Peruvian highlands where he was born in 1967. His skills are inherited from his father and his talent borne from generations of craftsmanship that flourished in the hills and valleys of the Andes. From his studio comes a wide variety of decorative and functional items, such as mirror frames, pedestals, candleholders and clocks, every nuance finished with antique polychrome beauty, reflecting the dedication with which the artisan and his family execute their labors.

"The art of carving comes to me from my family; my father was a carpenter and from him I received my first lessons. My works not only describe in some way our past and the life of the village, but also project tranquility and ornamentation. I work with my family and we infuse in our colors tonalities that please the viewer. The primary materials that we use are mahogany, cedar and mohena wood, and to decorate we use latex paints, temperas, aged wax lacquer, etc. As tools we use chisels, hammers and saws. Before executing a piece I make the design first on paper, and after preparing the wood we cut out the pieces and later assemble it like a puzzle. At times during the same process we make spontaneous changes that occur to us for improving the work.

"With my family we put a lot of care into our work, and the acceptance of our pieces by the public delights us all. We have a few employees whom we train with pleasure - we don't keep secrets with our art. I think the most important challenge I've had to face is to provide my family with stability, and I have achieved this. Secondarily, in my work I proposed to develop my own designs, and this I have also obtained through imagination and effort. I would like to say to the Novica clients who appreciate Peruvian art in general that my pieces - the tender colors and representations of my region - contain a part of my country's history." Alberto Cueva surprises us with each new creation. He adores wood - its elemental contribution to his art - and through this medium he translates the expressions of an honored visual language.