The Art of Aji

Aji Restaurant features a variety of authentic artwork for Central and South America. A visit to Aji offers not only an exploration of South and Central American cuisine, but also a walk through some of the many rich and varied styles of art and handicrafts that come from these rich and colorful cultures.

Authentic examples of Pre-Columbian artwork are exhibited courtesy of The Artemis Gallery. These works are usually available for purchase. The Artemis Gallery has graciously agreed to provide rotating artwork for Aji so that the history of the rich cultures of South America can be represented.

Modern paintings by Venezuelan artist Beatriz Gomez show an interesting juxtaposition of a traditional art style and theme, with contemporary styling. The large painting, "Girl with Pots" features a traditional scene of a young woman among a multitude of clay pots, yet the painting is executed with a modern flair.

Gomez also provides a wonderful example of the ever-popular "Lady of Guadalupe", a style for which Ms. Gomez had been recognized as an authority. This painting was commissioned by the owners of Aji so that one of the most important and recognized images in Latin culture would grace the walls of the restaurant.

Ms. Gomez also created a mural behind the bar of the restaurant, using inspiration from the hand carved gourd motifs prevalent in South America. The pastoral scene was painted with acrylics and offers examples of the typical styles of art and carving. Further examples of this art style can be found throughout the restaurant on a number of decorative gourds.

Other paintings include work by the young Peruvian artist Tadeo Zavaleta de la Barra, with the painting "Noche de Suenos". A fisherwoman dances in the moonlight and the scene is set for magic with candles burning on the seashore and an offering of glistening fish. Tadeo was trained in Lima and graduated in Fine Arts. His pictorial language is authentic and sincere.

The work of Demetrio Saldana, who studied art at the Superior School of Fine Arts in Peru, can be seen in the work titled "Motherhood". This warm painting offers a wonderful example of the way Saldana mixes colors and achieves harmony within a plane. Since graduation in 1972, Saldana has exhibited his work widely throughout Peru, Canada, Germany, Yugoslavia, and Russia. He has also held a number of exhibits in Mexico as well as in Orlando, Florida.

A duo of Mexican ceramic masks can be found, titled "Warrior Twins", and sculpted by Ismael Diaz. This singular example of wall art represents two proud warriors, their faces marked by scars of battle. Diaz uses plaster molds to shape local clay, creating textured surfaces of primitive appeal. The masks are suspended by istle fiber from a pinewood frame, its aged finish achieved through an application of tar.

Examples of ceramic Andean masks can be found throughout the restaurant. Created by Bertha Herrera, a ceramic artist from Lima, Peru, the masks were inspired by pre-Hispanic art with iconography from a number of Andean cultures.

Finally a number of traditional handicrafts from the Andes region can be found throughout the restaurant.

Handmade, woven wool tapestries exemplify traditional textile patterns and styles of the mountainous region.

Small ceramic Jimenez masks hang in a stylized display to scare away negative spirits and energy. Examples of Chancay dolls, which we buried with children in the days of the Inca, adorn modern, metal wall hangings.

Hand tooled, leather tables created by Peruvian artist Abel Rios demonstrate traditional pre-Incan design motifs and decorate a waiting area.