Introduction
Ofelia was born in Gran Canaria, Spain, raised in Venezuela and has lived and studied art in Rome and London. She enjoys working in the naif style which she feels expresses the joy and innocence that is found in childhood.
Ofelia currently spends much of her time working with Papier Mache. She collects discarded newspaper and cardboard from around London and turns them into pieces of art.
Her early interests began with creating papier mache animals. This preliminary work then lead to her gaining a commission to design costumes and large colourful papier mache masks, to be worn by a group of Devils de Yare dancers representing Venezuela at Carnival del Pueblo. The Carnival del Pueblo is hosted in London and is Europe's largest Latin American festival.
The latest display of Ofelia's work will be at The Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington as part of it's Inspiredby exhibition 17th May - 29th June, 2008.
For more information click on the image below.
Papier Mache
Below you can see a sample of Ofelia's papier mache creations. The next body of work to be published here will be a colletion of extravagent papier mache hats.
Paintings
Below you can see Ofelia's paintings which are in the naif style with symbolist elements. Inspiration for much of her work comes from the colours and characters that she has encountered in the Caribbean and a reoccurring theme throughout her work is friendship, motherhood and family.
All of the work below is in the medium of acrylic and oil on canvas.
Workshops
In her spare time Ofelia works in local schools teaching the art of papier mache and educating children on the importance of recycling and caring for the environment.
Friends
Whenver Ofelia can she will be adding links in this section to some of her friends who have work online that you may find interesting.
Recycling
Ofelia feels very strongly about the importance of recycling and that we each have a personal responsibility to care for the environment in which we live.
Below are links to organisations that Ofelia supports and believes are working towards making our world a better place.
Purchases & Enquiries
If you would like to purchase any of Ofelia's work, have any questions, or just want to say hello then please contact her at matices@hotmail.co.uk and she will get back in touch with you as soon as she can.
© 2007 Ofelia Diaz. All Rights Reserved.