Close Window

Cesar Yañez

"I was born in Lima on August 4, 1974. My father made a career in the Navy and my mother worked for a telecommunications company. From the time I was a child, I liked painting and poetry. But when I finished school, I chose a career in electro-mechanics and obtained a scholarship from the Brazilian Embassy to study in Rio Grande del Sur, Brazil.

"In those days, my options were either a career related to engineering or art. I chose engineering, because working full time as an artist here wasn't very profitable.

"After graduating, I went to work in a Brazilian company, but soon decided to return to Peru with the idea of making my way in my own country. I worked in mining and in industrial security, putting into practice all I had learned. At one point, I volunteered at the museum in Leimebamba, a small town eight hours by road from Chachapoyas, capital of Amazonas Department. I made great friends there, and they shared their art with me. This is where I learned to work in wood, and I also learned about the great variety of woods in Peru.

"I realized that I'd been searching for something I could create by myself. In 2003, I moved to the south of Lima where my family had some land. At that time, my daughter Ximena was born. I decided to purchase some milk cows to raise and, this allowed me the time to practice my woodcarving. It began as a hobby. But every time I'd go to Lima, someone would ask me why I didn't sell my work. I realized this was an opportunity, and I took it.

"Today I have two children. Woodcarving is my passion – seeing how something apparently square is transformed into what you want is amazing. The wood tells you how to carve it because it has life.

"What I like is that your hands become your eyes. What you touch represents more than you are able to see."