Folk Art Acrylic Painting “Valicha and Waqanki” (2025) by Gisella Stapleton

Gisella Stapleton was born in Lima, Peru, and uses diverse media and artistic materials to painterly express the richness of Andean folklore, symbolism, and art. In a method that blends tradition with modernity, she brings vibrant folk art from Latin America to the world. Elements of folk art, Fauvism, and sacred art merge with realism and abstraction to create her unique style. The Peruvian painter depicts South American icons, nature scenes, indigenous folklore, and ordinary women in her work. After moving from her native Peru to Spain, Gisella began exhibiting her work at the University of Valladolid, followed by a series of exhibitions at various cultural centers. Shortly after moving to London, Gisella began exhibiting her work in numerous galleries, from the Battersea Arts Centre in London and the Ronda Barcelona Cultural Centre in Barcelona to 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, which reflects the importance of art as a tool for social change. Gisella Stapleton was recently selected as one of 30 Latin American artists for the VIA Arts Prize exhibition in the UK. She now lives and creates from her studio in London.