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Emiliano Orellana

"Hello, I'm Emiliano Orellana. I was born in Quinua in the province of Huamanga on July 18, 1951. By the age of five I was interested in ceramics and liked to play with clay. In Quinua, clay comes in all kinds and colors. I'd also escape to the artisan workshops, although my parents forbade this.

"When I was 11, I went to visit my grandmother in Lima. There, my uncles had a workshop for glazed ceramics. I live with them for three years and so was able to learn a little more about my great passion.

"When I was 18, I came back home and continued studying while working to help my parents educate my six younger brothers and sisters.

"I eventually went back to the city. By day, I worked as a ceramicist and went to school at night. After two years, I graduated with a technical degree in auto mechanics.

"After a while, I opened my own ceramic workshop with my brothers in Ayacucho. We taught the art to many young people who are recognized masters today. In 1980, with my wife and children, I left Ayacucho. In our new home, I again set up a ceramics workshop. We met many people from Ayacucho and decided to create the Asociación Ichimay Wari in 1999.

"Since then, I've divided my time between designing and creating pieces and teaching different artisan associations in various parts of the country. I've also served as Secretario de Organización en el Central Interregional de Artesanos del Peru (CIAP).

"My entire life has been dedicated to ceramics. Through participating in exhibits, my own style has come to be recognized throughout Peru."