Lika Mutal

Place: Amsterdam

Born: 1939

Death: 2016

Biography:

Lika Mutal was a Dutch-Peruvian sculptor born in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1939 and died in 2016. She is well known for her hand-carved stonework, which focuses on the interconnectedness of the human and non-human world. The idea of duality is an omnipresent theme in Mutal’s life, as she is of European heritage, but she lives part-time in the ancient landscape of Lima, Peru and part-time in the modern architecture of New York City.

Early Life and Education

Lika Mutal was born in the Netherlands in 1939. Her mother was an accomplished pianist and singer, and her father was an oil painter. Mutal was the third child of twelve, and the first girl born in the family. Though her father influenced her love for the arts, Mutal never learned the visual arts, and in fact, she found her father's black and white paintings boring. From a young age, Mutal wished to become an actress. She acted in the cabaret in the Netherlands, and attended Bonifacius College in Utrecht.

Career and Work

After quitting university, Mutal rented a small studio in Barranco, Lima. That same year, she had her first small art show. Two years later, after building her portfolio and collection of work, she was introduced to a well-known stone smith, Don Juan Arias, who would soon become her greatest influence. Beyond the technicality of the classroom, Arias taught Mutal the importance of developing an intimate relationship with stone, as if it had a soul. Mutal’s work is well represented globally, and her practice is based out of Norha Haime Gallery in New York City. Her sculptures are characterized by their dynamism and ability to give a sort of dynamism to the inherently static substance of stone. Some of her notable works include The Interconnectedness of Human and Non-Human World, which showcases her unique style and technique.

• Mutal’s work is influenced by her European heritage and her experiences in Peru and New York City.
• She is known for her hand-carved stonework, which focuses on the interconnectedness of the human and non-human world.
• Her sculptures are characterized by their dynamism and ability to give a sort of dynamism to the inherently static substance of stone.

aspects of Mutal’s work include her use of traditional materials such as clay, wood, and steel, as well as her unique technique of hand-carving stone. Her work can be found in various museums and galleries, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. For more information on Lika Mutal, visit Dutch-Peruvian sculptor or check out her profile on Don Juan Arias.