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José Castro
Nestled in the desert coast of south Peru I began my journey in the very traditional way of my ancestors. At the age of 18 I went to study in the national school of art in Lima, Peru.
In the late eighties I went to live in Cusco the ancient city and capital of the Inca Empire. There I learned from the elders the traditions and rituals, the music and customs. This changed my life forever as I learned how to live and respect the elements and to be in harmony with nature, the perfect teacher.
Living from selling in the markets in Cusco and around the Sacred Valley gave me the strength to keep travelling. In the 1990s for almost 10 years I travelled all around South America connecting with my land and my people. Brothers and sisters from different countries all sharing the same dream.
While my artwork continued to evolve, my passion for travel grew. At that time I was working very hard and creating beautiful pieces and selling them in the streets of Buenos Aires, at the markets in Chile, on the beaches of Brazil, living a bohemian life in Colombia and a very creative one. I learned about pre-Columbian jewellery and the different techniques that are still used in South America.
Coming back to my roots I travelled around of Amazon River where I had a dream about flying and a vision of three kangaroos. Later, in 2000, I came to Australia.
In the years in between I travelled around Europe for several months selling my work in the markets in Spain, Paris, Venice, Belgium and Amsterdam. Then I went to L.A. where I did some work. I finally arrived in Australia. I first started to work in the Manly markets in Sydney. Now I am based in Byron Bay where I work and create my jewellery.