Fort Kochi: Rocio Perez, an artist from Peru who is touring India, has created a stunning painting on the wall of a homestay here. It shows a young Keralite woman wearing a yellow dress and flowers in her hair. The woman stands above waves in the sea and the flowers are transforming themselves into butterflies.
This wall painting at 'God's Land Inn' homestay at Kottavalappu in Fort Kochi is only one among the numerous pieces of art Rocio has created during her journeys in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh. While visiting all these places, Rocio has taken care to create art with women as subject. "Indian women go to work, carry out household chores, love colours, and welcome visitors with a smile. I admire them," she says.
Rocio's paintings are inspired by women she met during her travels. It was in 2018 that the Peruvian artist arrived in India. She has been backpacking since then and has preferred to hitchhike to her destinations.
"When I reach some village, I choose stay with the local people. That is the time when I engage in painting," says Rocio.
A lover of wall paintings, the artist has created this form of art at numerous schools, homestays, and houses in India over the last one year. One of her best works is at a homestay in Manali, a popular tourist spot, where the entire walls of the three-storey building are now covered with Rocio's art.
"I love painting on a big canvas," she explains. The artist says that she learnt about the beauty and simplicity of nature as well as colours from life in her homeland.
Now some of Rocio's paintings are on display at Durbar Hall Art Centre in Kochi along with the works of 18 other women artists.
