Artist's talk: Carlos Runcie-Tanaka

·         Carlos Runcie-Tanaka is one of Peru’s most important artists. He has represented Peru at international biennials including the 4th and 5th Havana Biennial, the 49th Venice Biennale, the 8th Cuenca Biennial and the 26th São Paulo Biennial.

Originally a ceramicist, Runcie-Tanaka has used a variety of other mediums over the past several years and currently
works with installation, site‐specific works, and video production. His work operates on many social, cultural, and political levels and stems from his own life experiences living in Peru as a descendent of British and Japanese grandfathers, who arrived by sea to Peru  the 1920s. His Japanese grandfather was among immigrants to Peru looking for new  opportunities and their descendants are members of a substantial Japanese-Peruvian community.  The Lafayette installation, Cloud, includes 36 folded white crabs, a potent symbol of migration, displacement, cultural identity, and adaptation.