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Daria Laureano

Daria Laureano Canchumuni was born in Huancayo on October 20, 1954. Her region is famous for its carved mate gourds, one of the oldest handicraft forms in the Andes, and a family legacy for generations. "I decided to continue with this art and not let go of our culture and history," she says. "But I wanted my works to express my own creativity and designs.

"After I married, my husband joined me in my art, and we both create gourd art from the beginning to the finished piece. Our lifetimes of experiences go into each of our designs! Now our adult sons and daughters have learned the craft, too, and help us!

"I feel very proud of our gourds and each new design fills us with great satisfaction. No one taught us this art. We observed how our parents, grandparents and even our great grandparents worked, and learned with our own hands and minds. I think we have this talent in our blood!"