Bio
Born in Lima, Peru, Gisella uses various media and artistic materials to bring the richness of Andean folklore, symbolism and art from Latin America to the world in a method that fuses tradition with modernity. Elements of folk art, fauvism, and sacred art blend with realism and abstraction to produce the unique style in which Gisella displays South American icons, nature scenes, indigenous folkloric, and ordinary women. Upon moving from her native Peru to Spain, Gisella began exhibiting her work beginning at the University of Valladolid, followed by a series of exhibitions at various Cultural Centres. Shortly after moving to London Gisella began exhibiting her work widely in galleries, from the Battersea Arts Center in London to the Ronda Barcelona Cultural Center in Barcelona and the HERSTORY Performance Show in San Diego, CA. The growing awareness of subjugated peoples, including women and indigenous groups, is a central theme in Gisella's artwork, aware of the importance of art as a tool for social change. Gisella has recently been chosen as one of 30 Latin American artists for the VIA Arts Prize exhibition in the UK. Often collaborating with cultural organisations, the empowering themes in Gisella's work have left the canvas and onto the streets, where she has created murals such as her recent work, Latinoamerica Florece, Abya Yala, painted in collaboration with the Latin Elephant organisation. Gisella Stapleton now lives and creates from her studio in London.Gisella Stapleton now lives and creates from her studio in London.
Born in Lima, Peru, Gisella uses various media and artistic materials to bring the richness of Andean folklore, symbolism and art from Latin America to the world in a method that fuses tradition with modernity. Elements of folk art, fauvism, and sacred art blend with realism and abstraction to produce the unique style in which Gisella displays South American icons, nature scenes, indigenous folkloric, and ordinary women. Upon moving from her native Peru to Spain, Gisella began exhibiting her work beginning at the University of Valladolid, followed by a series of exhibitions at various Cultural Centres. Shortly after moving to London Gisella began exhibiting her work widely in galleries, from the Battersea Arts Center in London to the Ronda Barcelona Cultural Center in Barcelona and the HERSTORY Performance Show in San Diego, CA. The growing awareness of subjugated peoples, including women and indigenous groups, is a central theme in Gisella's artwork, aware of the importance of art as a tool for social change. Gisella has recently been chosen as one of 30 Latin American artists for the VIA Arts Prize exhibition in the UK. Often collaborating with cultural organisations, the empowering themes in Gisella's work have left the canvas and onto the streets, where she has created murals such as her recent work, Latinoamerica Florece, Abya Yala, painted in collaboration with the Latin Elephant organisation. Gisella Stapleton now lives and creates from her studio in London.Gisella Stapleton now lives and creates from her studio in London.
Statement
Just as art inspires many people, the women and rich cultural traditions of South America inspire me. Painting has been a part of my life since childhood and has now become the tool I use to express appreciation for and uplift the communities and cultures that have uplifted me. The colors and patterns seen in the Central and South American indigenous cultures and nature itself are the most natural visual language to express the subjects in my work, from eco-feminism to indigenous identity and the preservation of nature.
I use my art as both a space for expression and a tool for transformation. My paintings are a window into the beauty and depth of Latin America. Inspiring figures—from activists to everyday women—are given a place to shine among the rich colors, entrancing patterns, and elements of sacred art.
Painting is the strongest voice I find for shedding light on the hardships people face, especially women, indigenous people, and other subjugated groups. Through creating art that glorifies people who are often overlooked, I hope to make a small contribution to spur on the social change that’s needed for a world with more equality and appreciation for the many different people who share it and respect for the environment we live in.
Just as art inspires many people, the women and rich cultural traditions of South America inspire me. Painting has been a part of my life since childhood and has now become the tool I use to express appreciation for and uplift the communities and cultures that have uplifted me. The colors and patterns seen in the Central and South American indigenous cultures and nature itself are the most natural visual language to express the subjects in my work, from eco-feminism to indigenous identity and the preservation of nature.
I use my art as both a space for expression and a tool for transformation. My paintings are a window into the beauty and depth of Latin America. Inspiring figures—from activists to everyday women—are given a place to shine among the rich colors, entrancing patterns, and elements of sacred art.
Painting is the strongest voice I find for shedding light on the hardships people face, especially women, indigenous people, and other subjugated groups. Through creating art that glorifies people who are often overlooked, I hope to make a small contribution to spur on the social change that’s needed for a world with more equality and appreciation for the many different people who share it and respect for the environment we live in.
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