Alejandro Chavez

Alejandro Chavez traditional Andean retablos

Alejandro Chavez was born in Lima in 1956. He specializes in creating retablos, a kind of reverent diorama-altar typical of the Ayacucho region of Peru. He learned this technique as a boy in school, when living in Ayacucho, where his parents moved when he was just two years old.

For Alejandro and his family, the 1980s were painful. All of Peru was bleeding as a result of the armed conflict between the Sendero Luminoso terrorist group, who threatened and conscripted rural farmers, and the Peruvian army, who arrested or killed anyone they found suspicious. The Chavez family fled to Lima where they found peace once more through their retablo art. However, they lost several of their friends.

"Some died, others were jailed, even when they didn't know how to read or write," he says. "Because of the war, they had to drop out of school and leave the artisan workshops they loved in nearby Huamanga. They acquired some knowledge of the retablo art but they withdrew because it was no longer safe to leave their homes.

"Life in Lima was quite different. The quiet small town life we were accustomed to no longer existed in the huge cement jungle of the capital. Our traditional Ayacucho fiestas such as the yunza tree and the Dance of the Scissors, have died out here.

"To fight boredom, I worked at different jobs. People like me who had recently arrived in Lima began working as stevedores in the city's fishing port. After that, I sold fruit in a market stall. Finally one day, a cousin convinced me to try my luck in a workshop where they crafted Ayacuchan retablos. When I visited the workshop, I couldn't believe it when I saw these beautiful art forms once again.

"So I returned to my roots. I began working in the studio of Angel Castro, a master artisan, who taught me. Here I refined my techniques. After the death of my teacher, I formed my own workshop continuing to give shape to this art form. The customs and traditions of the Andean people — especially those of Ayacucho — emerge in every piece we make.

"Over the years, I perfected my abilities and became recognized as a master retablo craftsman. In some, I depict Biblical scenes and, in others, everyday life in the Andes. I did this for eight years. It was exhausting to create my retablos and then try to sell them in artisan fairs. I had to carry several at a time and go door to door, offering them to shops and stores.

"I've been married since 1985 and my wife and I successfully faced some really tough times. We were unable to have children. We finally gave up on fertility treatments and decided to adopt. We found a seven-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy, and raised them with all our love as though they were our own. Now that they're older, the girl is here with us and the boy went to live with my mother in Ayacucho.

"I began working with you in 2007 when I learned your support could let make a living from my art and give me the hope of a better future. Thanks to what I earn from the sale of my retablos, I've been able to give my family a better lifestyle and, especially, to help my daughter Carol with her studies now that she's a young mother. Since then, things have gone well.

"Today, I can say that my pain from those difficult times in Ayacucho has healed. I've been sharing the culture and traditions of Peru through my retablos. And I plan to continue with this art as long as God permits it."

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For Alejandro and his family, the 1980s were painful. All of Peru was bleeding as a result of the armed conflict between the Sendero Luminoso terrorist group, who threatened and conscripted rural farmers, and the Peruvian army, who arrested or killed anyone they found suspicious. The Chavez family fled to Lima where they found peace once more through their retablo art. However, they lost several of their friends.

"Some died, others were jailed, even when they didn't know how to read or write," he says. "Because of the war, they had to drop out of school and leave the artisan workshops they loved in nearby Huamanga. They acquired some knowledge of the retablo art but they withdrew because it was no longer safe to leave their homes.

"Life in Lima was quite different. The quiet small town life we were accustomed to no longer existed in the huge cement jungle of the capital. Our traditional Ayacucho fiestas such as the yunza tree and the Dance of the Scissors, have died out here.

"To fight boredom, I worked at different jobs. People like me who had recently arrived in Lima began working as stevedores in the city's fishing port. After that, I sold fruit in a market stall. Finally one day, a cousin convinced me to try my luck in a workshop where they crafted Ayacuchan retablos. When I visited the workshop, I couldn't believe it when I saw these beautiful art forms once again.

"So I returned to my roots. I began working in the studio of Angel Castro, a master artisan, who taught me. Here I refined my techniques. After the death of my teacher, I formed my own workshop continuing to give shape to this art form. The customs and traditions of the Andean people — especially those of Ayacucho — emerge in every piece we make.

"Over the years, I perfected my abilities and became recognized as a master retablo craftsman. In some, I depict Biblical scenes and, in others, everyday life in the Andes. I did this for eight years. It was exhausting to create my retablos and then try to sell them in artisan fairs. I had to carry several at a time and go door to door, offering them to shops and stores.

"I've been married since 1985 and my wife and I successfully faced some really tough times. We were unable to have children. We finally gave up on fertility treatments and decided to adopt. We found a seven-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy, and raised them with all our love as though they were our own. Now that they're older, the girl is here with us and the boy went to live with my mother in Ayacucho.

"I began working with you in 2007 when I learned your support could let make a living from my art and give me the hope of a better future. Thanks to what I earn from the sale of my retablos, I've been able to give my family a better lifestyle and, especially, to help my daughter Carol with her studies now that she's a young mother. Since then, things have gone well.

"Today, I can say that my pain from those difficult times in Ayacucho has healed. I've been sharing the culture and traditions of Peru through my retablos. And I plan to continue with this art as long as God permits it."

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Maker BadgeEnabling Education

One year away from his 50th birthday, Alejandro and his wife adopted a son and a daughter (Jose and Carol) from their hometown. Today Alejandro continues to provide for the education of his children and his grandchild, who joined the family in 2018. His daughter Carol is studying accounting and his son Jose is at the police academy.

Maker BadgePreserving Traditions

At school in Ayacucho, Alejandro began to learn the indigenous art of Andean retableria. Seeking to refine his craft, he apprenticed at the workshop of Angel Castro to learn the secrets of a master retablista. Upon his teacher's death, Alejandro founded his own workshop. There he began to incorporate his wife's modeled figures into his traditional retablos. Today Alejandro's nephews are his apprentices and his family workshop continues to craft their beloved retablos, which recount the culture and traditions of the Andes.

Maker BadgeProfound Impact

Novica sales provide Alejandro's family workshop with a steady cash flow. These sales account for nearly half of their monthly income, helping to ensure their survival. Markets and other seasonal outlets provide supplemental income that contributes to their annual living expenses. In the coming years, Alejandro hopes to grow his workshop and better his family by increasing his Novica sales.

Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing

Alejandro Chavez has received 4 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $800 and the most recent for $1100. Proceeds were used to invest in the purchase of raw materials such as plaster, ceramic, plywood and paint.

Maker BadgeCovering Basic Needs

This artist striving to supporting their own or their family's basic needs and improve their livelihood.

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Alternate image for Handmade Wood Retablo of the Virgin Mary from Peru Mary

$79.99

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Handmade Wood Retablo of the Virgin Mary from Peru 'Mary'

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Alternate image for Hand Painted Nativity Scenes Set of 3 Christmas in the Andes

$47.99

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Hand Painted Nativity Scenes Set of 3 'Christmas in the Andes'

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Alternate image for Folk Art Wood Retablo Sculpture from Peru Yawar Fiesta

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Folk Art Wood Retablo Sculpture from Peru 'Yawar Fiesta'

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Jp This is my 2nd one and I love it just like the 1st one

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Alternate image for Hand Made Folk Art Mirror from Peru Little Carnaval

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Hand Made Folk Art Mirror from Peru 'Little Carnaval'

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Sakhar Stunning slices of life organised around a little mirror. Practical and uniquely cultural.

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Alternate image for Ornaments Set of 5 Huts

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Ornaments Set of 5 'Huts'

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Zach Great presents to friends and familys

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Alternate image for Nativity and Garden of Eden-Themed Wood Ceramic Wall Mirror Garden of Eden

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Nativity and Garden of Eden-Themed Wood Ceramic Wall Mirror 'Garden of Eden'

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Alternate image for Nativity-Themed Retablo Night in Bethlehem

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Nativity-Themed Retablo 'Night in Bethlehem'

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Alternate image for Small Nativity Sculptures Set of 3 Christmas Trio

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Small Nativity Sculptures Set of 3 'Christmas Trio'

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Alternate image for Christmas Nativity Retablo Folk Art Handmade in Peru Blue Christmas

$54.99

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Christmas Nativity Retablo Folk Art Handmade in Peru 'Blue Christmas'

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Gail Bought as a gift and they loved it. Thank you.

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Alternate image for Handcrafted Retablo Nativity Scene Wall Mirror from Peru Love Divine

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Handcrafted Retablo Nativity Scene Wall Mirror from Peru 'Love Divine'

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Beverly I just love this and was so excited to gift it to special friends who already have a lifetime of accumulated decorations nothing like this!

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Alternate image for Hand-Painted Retablo Nativity Ornaments Set of 4 Celebrating the Season

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Hand-Painted Retablo Nativity Ornaments Set of 4 'Celebrating the Season'

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Alternate image for Romantic Folk Art Retablo Te Amo

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Romantic Folk Art Retablo 'Te Amo'

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Alternate image for Nativity scene Blessed Are Those Who Come

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Nativity scene 'Blessed Are Those Who Come'

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Barbara This traditional Ayacucho-style retablo is perfectly executed. it's atrue collectors item. It can be displayed on a tabletop or on the wall. Fast delivery, safe packaging.

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Alternate image for Handcrafted Christian Theme Christmas Retablo Diorama Blue Andean Christmas

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Handcrafted Christian Theme Christmas Retablo Diorama 'Blue Andean Christmas'

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Edward The artist masterfully introduces Peruvian peasants to the Birth of Jesus.

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Alternate image for Retablo Peruvian Christmas

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Retablo 'Peruvian Christmas'

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Alternate image for Painted Wood Retablo Andes Folk Art Handmade in Peru Virgin Mary

$49.99

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Painted Wood Retablo Andes Folk Art Handmade in Peru 'Virgin Mary'

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Pam Beautiful home made retablo love love love it, lovely colours fabulous expression on Mary

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Alternate image for Fair Trade Nativity Scene Retablo Wood Sculpture Jesus Spoke of Peace

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Fair Trade Nativity Scene Retablo Wood Sculpture 'Jesus Spoke of Peace'

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Elizabeth Our youngest grandkids love this little "all in one" nativity.It is sturdy enough that they can handle it without the fear of them breaking it. We have cherished this for many years, and look forward to bringing it out for Christmas for many more years to come!

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