{"id":3856,"date":"2025-03-07T18:58:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T17:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/?p=3856"},"modified":"2025-05-13T12:28:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T10:28:39","slug":"from-colorful-puno-to-the-canals-of-amsterdam-the-journey-of-maria-elena-the-peruvian-artist-revolutionizing-art-with-her-gallery-intussen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/from-colorful-puno-to-the-canals-of-amsterdam-the-journey-of-maria-elena-the-peruvian-artist-revolutionizing-art-with-her-gallery-intussen\/","title":{"rendered":"From Colorful Puno to the Canals of Amsterdam: The Journey of Mar\u00eda Elena, the Peruvian Artist Revolutionizing Art with Her Gallery Intussen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine growing up in Puno, more than 3,800 meters above sea level, next to Lake Titicaca\u2014the highest navigable lake in the world. A place where the colors of the Virgen de la Candelaria Festival fill the streets with music, dance, and traditions that feel straight out of a fairytale. Now, picture bringing all that magic to Amsterdam, a city where art flows through the canals, bicycles reign supreme, and the weather\u2014though unpredictable\u2014never slows down cultural innovation.This is the story of Mar\u00eda Elena, a Peruvian artist who has fused her Andean roots with European innovation, becoming a key figure in the contemporary art world. Today, as the curator of Gallery Intussen, Mar\u00eda Elena not only opens the doors to her life and art but also invites artists and art lovers to be part of a unique space in the heart of Amsterdam. <\/p>\n\n

From Puno to Amsterdam: A Childhood Full of Art and Dreams<\/h4>\n\n

Mar\u00eda Elena was born in Juliaca, Puno, and grew up in a home where creativity was as natural as the air she breathed.“My parents were my inspiration. My father loved sewing, and my mother had an innate talent for interior and exterior design. She adored nature and plants. If I told you everything about them, we’d never finish!” she recalls with a smile that lights up the room.From an early age, art was already part of her life.“As a child, I played with my sisters, creating extravagant worlds. I dreamed of becoming an architect and a fashion designer. Art was always there, even though I didn’t know it yet,” she confesses.Her childhood in Peru was a vibrant mix of colors, traditions, and values that shaped her deeply.“I\u2019m very proud to be Andean. I never forget where I come from, because if I did, I wouldn\u2019t know where I\u2019m going,” she says with a determination that makes it clear why she has come so far. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

A Leap to Europe: An Adventure of Love and Perseverance<\/h4>\n\n

Mar\u00eda Elena arrived in the Netherlands for two reasons: love and adventure.“I visited Amsterdam and fell in love. I told myself, \u2018In three years, I\u2019ll be living here.\u2019 And that\u2019s exactly what happened,” she says with the determination that seems to define her.But adapting wasn\u2019t easy\u2014the weather, the food, and the language were all initial challenges.“You adapt quickly if you have clear dreams. Perseverance is key,” she affirms.Despite the obstacles, Mar\u00eda Elena found a home in Amsterdam.“The Dutch are honest and wonderful people. They welcomed me, and I felt at home from the start,” she says. And it\u2019s no surprise\u2014Amsterdam is a city that embraces you with its canals, its bicycles, and its love for art. <\/p>\n\n

\n

“In Puno, art isn\u2019t something you learn; it\u2019s something you live. Every festival, every color, every sound inspires you to create. I carry those colors in my soul, and I brought them with me to Amsterdam, where they now bloom in new ways.”<\/em>\u2013 Mar\u00eda Elena<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

An Artistic Awakening: From Peru to the Classrooms of Rietveld<\/h4>\n\n

t was in Amsterdam that Mar\u00eda Elena consciously discovered her passion for art.“I started taking painting courses, and I ended up studying at Rietveld, one of the most prestigious art schools in Europe. It was a dream come true,” she recalls with the excitement of someone who has chased and caught their dreams.But her entrepreneurial spirit started much earlier.“At 18, I was already an entrepreneur\u2014I had my own boutique of exclusive clothing in Lima,” she says proudly.For Mar\u00eda Elena, transitioning from artist to entrepreneur felt natural.“I didn\u2019t see it as a change. I love what I do, especially when it involves art, culture, and fashion. I\u2019m passionate about it,” she says. And that passion shines through in every word she speaks and every project she undertakes. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

Gallery Intussen: A Space for Borderless Art<\/h4>\n\n

In 2021, Mar\u00eda Elena and her partner, Henk Willem, founded Gallery Intussen in East Amsterdam.“It\u2019s a unique space, built with noble materials and spectacular architecture. Henk is a civil engineer, and his father was an architect, so together we created something magical,” she explains proudly.The gallery is a sanctuary for all forms of art\u2014painting, performance, music, dance, theater…“Everything is welcome,” she says enthusiastically.The mission? To give visibility to overlooked artistic visions, creating a space where underrepresented communities can flourish. Located in the green surroundings of De 1800 Roeden, Gallery Intussen seeks a symbiotic connection with nature and a fresh perspective on Amsterdam\u2019s cultural landscape: more inclusive, diverse, and playful.One of her biggest achievements was securing funding to host a neighborhood festival with Amsterdam\u2019s Director of Culture.“It was a very special moment. We\u2019re growing, and we want to be a reference in the European art scene,” she says. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

Bridging Cultures: Art as a Link Between Peru and Europe<\/h4>\n\n

Mar\u00eda Elena has noticed differences in how art is perceived in Latin America versus Europe.“In our countries, art isn\u2019t always valued. Here, while not everyone appreciates it, a much larger percentage do,” she reflects.Her next project? Bringing one of Peru\u2019s finest ceramic artists, Rosamar Corcuera, to exhibit at Intussen.“Her art is magical\u2014it transports you to another world,” she says, visibly excited. <\/p>\n\n

A Space for Everyone<\/h4>\n\n

If you\u2019re an artist looking for a place to exhibit, Mar\u00eda Elena invites you to reach out through www.galleryintussen.nl.“We welcome all styles and disciplines. If you have talent and passion, this is your space,” she assures.For art lovers, the gallery offers a unique venue to enjoy exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.“We have a green area and free parking\u2014a luxury in Amsterdam. Come visit us and be surprised!” she invites. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

For Latin American Artists and Entrepreneurs<\/h4>\n\n

For those dreaming of making a career in Europe, Mar\u00eda Elena has a clear message:“Persevere, believe in your talent, and don\u2019t be afraid to fall. Life isn\u2019t easy, but with a positive attitude and hard work, anything is possible.”<\/p>\n\n

\n

“Gallery Intussen isn\u2019t just a space to exhibit art; it\u2019s a place where souls connect. Here, artists can showcase their passion, and the audience can discover new worlds. It\u2019s my way of giving back to the world a little bit of the magic that art has given me.”<\/em>\u2013 Mar\u00eda Elena<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Mar\u00eda Elena is proof that art transcends borders and unites cultures. Her story reminds us that no matter where we come from, we can always carry a piece of home with us wherever we go. <\/p>\n\n

And you? What do you think about her journey? Do you believe art can be a bridge between cultures? Leave us a comment, share this article with your friends, and subscribe for more inspiring stories about Peruvians around the world! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine growing up in Puno, more than 3,800 meters above sea level, next to Lake Titicaca\u2014the highest navigable lake in the world. A place where the colors of the Virgen de la Candelaria Festival fill the streets with music, dance, and traditions that feel straight out of a fairytale. Now, picture bringing all that magic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_popup_post":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"0","show_post_related":"1","show_inline_post_related":"0"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0"},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"49"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3856"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4991,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3856\/revisions\/4991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}