My name is Amaya Gurpide. I was born in the north of Spain, among the rich symbolism and sacred art of the Catholic church. I became captivated with the narratives of the imagery in the altar pieces, and found a profound connection with the visceral darkness of the Baroque chiaroscuro.
My father was an artist and early in my childhood I would pose for both him and my mother's photography as each of their works revolved around the portrait and the human figure. In 1999, I moved to New York City to pursue my own artistic career and focused primarily on drawing and painting until I gave birth to my first child. The immediacy of photography allowed me to express ideas that I wouldn't have had time to develop otherwise.
As a foreigner in America, I have experienced my heritage from the perspective of both a native Spaniard and as an outsider, and it has helped me realize the significant impact Spanish art has had on me.
