STORIES FROM PAFA

Kukuli Velarde and Justine Ditto on 'Philadelphia Pachamama'

In April 2024, artist Kukuli Velarde joined printer Justine Ditto for an engaging conversation about the creation of Philadelphia Pachamama, a vibrant eleven-color lithograph published by the Brodsky Center at PAFA. Attendees were given a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate lithographic process and learned step-by-step how this complex print was brought to life.

Philadelphia Pachamama

Kukuli Velarde (American, born Peru 1962), Philadelphia Pachamama, 2024, 11-color lithograph on paper, 38 x 28 inches, Edition of 10. Published by the Brodsky Center at PAFA, Philadelphia.

Velarde shared insights into her Pachamama Series, her multimedia practice, and the inspiration behind Philadelphia Pachamama. Originally from Peru and based in Kensington since 2007, Velarde celebrates her neighborhood in this piece by evoking the Andean fertility goddess Pachamama. This origin myth honors the nurturing relationship between place and identity, a theme central to Velarde’s work.

Justine Ditto holding Philadelphia Pachamama while standing beside Kukuli Velarde as she speaksJustine Ditto holding Philadelphia Pachamama while standing beside Kukuli Velarde as she speaksJustine Ditto handling prints beside Kukuli Velarde as she speaks

Justine Ditto and Kukuli Velarde, April 27, 2024. Photo by PAFA Staff.

Her art bridges ancestral Andean traditions and contemporary life, challenging the legacies of colonization while celebrating a philosophy that applies wherever we find ourselves. In Philadelphia Pachamama, Velarde envisions a world where pre-colonial perspectives inform the present, cultivating a deep sense of belonging and community. The print also serves as a tribute to Kensington’s rich and vibrant cultural tapestry.

Philadelphia Pachamama exemplifies how art can connect cultural traditions with modern issues, reflecting Velarde’s belief in the importance of place in shaping identity.
 

 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

 

Visit www.kukulivelarde.com to learn more about Kukuli Velarde and her work, and stay connected by following her on Instagram at @kukuli.velarde.

Video: Kukuli Velarde and Justine Ditto in conversation at the Brodsky Center at PAFA, Philadelphia
Recorded on April 27, 2024, this recording features Velarde and Ditto discussing their collaboration on the making of Philadelphia Pachamama.

Videographer: Patricia Yàñez, ©Creative Synergy Media LLC.

Featured Image: Justine Ditto holding Philadelphia Pachamama, standing beside Kukuli Velarde, April 27, 2024. Photo by PAFA Staff.
 


About PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the United States’ first school and museum of fine arts. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers a world-class collection of American art, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and educational opportunities in the fine arts. The PAFA Museum aims to tell America's diverse story through art, expanding who has been included in the canon of art history through its collections, exhibitions, and public programs, while classes educate artists and appreciators with a deep understanding of traditions and the ability to challenge conventions. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.