Luis Tamani

My story begins in the Peruvian jungle in Pucallpa, in the Ucayali area. I was born in 1983, I am the eldest of 6 brothers and sisters and a descendant of an indigenous people from the Amazon.

My father comes from the Kukama-Kukamilla (or Cocama-Cocamilla) lineage, an indigenous people present in the Peruvian Amazon and a small part of the Colombian Amazon. The Kukamas call themselves “Inikana” which means “ourselves”.

My mother comes from another line: the Lamistas (or Llacuash, descendants of the Chankas).

Sunset on Ucayali River


I grew up on the banks of the Ucayali River. I lived a very simple childhood punctuated by my days at school, football games with my friends, morning at the market with my mother, fishing days with my friends…

I remember my awakenings at dawn to follow my father to the river. He was a pirogue constructor, the kind we all used to sail in the area. I often assisted him. These boats were my first source of inspiration in my early artwork.

Abstract

I was aware of this Nature around me, always amazed by its beauty, its strength and its perfection. I still have vivid memories of sunrises and sunsets in this ubiquitous jungle. But I think I really opened up thanks to the time I spent with my grandmother from Machangay. Among other things, she was the one who introduced me to medicinal plants.

Melodías Ancestrales - 2013

In 2002, I attended the Eduardo Meza Saravia School of Art in my hometown, Pucallpa. For 5 years, I received a very academic training where I learnt about cubism, realism, abstract and more. I quickly was fascinated by cubism and abstract art. I also was very inspired by Fernando de Szyszlo’s art. At the end of my training, I was fully dedicated to abstract art, merging shapes and textures.

Today, my art has evolved from an abstract cubism to a more realistic and colorful style.

Through my visionary art combined to magical realism, I wish to pay tribute to Nature. This very Nature who made the man I am today, who is a constant source of inspiration and balance in my life.

Maestro Otorongo - 2023

Main artistic events

Before 2014

  • 2002-2007 Art School Eduardo Meza Saravia. – Pucallpa, Peru
  • 2010-2012 Exhibitions and meetings on traditionnal Medicine – Iquitos, Peru.
  • September 2013 Exhibition at the Visionnary Art Gallery - Paris, France.

2014

2015

  • February 2015 Festival Tribal Gathering – Panama
  • February 2015 Ammon-Ra Gallery – Monterrey, Mexico (collective Dreams & Divinities)
  • March 2015 Dreams & Divinity Equinox Show – Luminarte Gallery, Dallas, Texas, United States.
  • April 2015 Kupuri Festival – Mexico.
  • September 2015 Symbiosis Festival – Oakland, United States.
  • September 2015 Plant Teachers Meeting – Los Angeles, United States.

2016

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023