Luz Belen

Year of birth: 1983.
Where do you live: Amsterdam.
Your education: Fashion and Art Design.
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Can you tell us more about your journey from Peru to Amsterdam and how both places have influenced your artistic process?

I left my country long time ago, I have lived in Spain, England and now in this beautiful city Amsterdam, where I have always mesmerized by the flowers on the street. Furthermore, where I have been more in contact with my roots, perhaps the nostalgia of being so long away from home has impacted my artistic work.

How does your culture influence your work, and how do you incorporate elements of your Peruvian heritage into your illustrations?

I am so proud of the richness of my culture and history. The texture , colors, flavors and the nature is captivating and I like to mixed them with my memories and experiences.

Luz Belen | Hope

You are part of an artist collective in Amsterdam that focuses on textiles. How does working in such a collaborative environment shape your artistic expression?

Yes, I am part of Warmi Kuyen collective. Our different ways to express our art through our different experiences and techniques. It helps me to be more open to the beauty of diversity and how you learn from each other.

You mentioned that “pain shouldn’t be wasted, something amazing can grow from it.” How do you translate personal emotions, especially painful ones, into your creative process?

I believe that through art is the great excuse to express yourself unapologetically. Unfortunately pain is a great teacher, and we shouldn’t scape from it, we can learn in a meaningful way about ourself, and we can become stronger and wiser.

Could you share more details about your recent children’s book and how you approached illustrating it? 

“Mallki and the lost star” born in a difficult time in my life, but it helped me to dream and think that life is a journey, with a happy ending. Most of the illustrations are my memories as a child mixed with fantasy. 

Luz Belen | Water for the flowers

As an artist living in Amsterdam, what are some of the unique challenges or opportunities you’ve encountered in this new creative landscape?

Amsterdam is a very artistic  place with very talented people from everywhere, therefore can be very  competitive. But your uniqueness is the only way to open the doors. Personally I like challenges.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who want to blend their cultural background with personal emotions in their work?

Don’t do it for impress people and don’t think about money, think about your worthiness. And the most important do it because this is something that your soul needs and  it fills your heart.