SECRETS OF PERU (est. 2020)

We have long been admirers of Peruvian Retablo art and the world of Bolivian miniature crafts.
In January 2020 we set on a journey to look into these traditions located along the Andean mountains. We met with wonderful craft masters and learned us some fantastical manufacturing techniques. The pandemic put a stop to our collaboration. In 2025 we got finally back and were able to continue our search of Andean Secrets.

Travel photos: COMPANY

    





04.2025
HandsFans and Hand Bags displayed at the exhibition COMPANY WORLD AFFAIR in piknic, Seoul.
These toguilla fiber items are made with master Cecilia in Piura, Lima.




04.2025
World Market view with birds sitting on top of the staircase door. COMPANY WORLD AFFAIR in piknic, Seoul.



Colibri & Sula watering cans
Coloibri is the smallest of watering can is for the smallest of flowers.
Made by Lucy Araujo in Ayacucho, Peru. Material: Metal, paint
Design: Johan Olin / COMPANY 2021. Size: 120 x 100 x 50 mm


Papa Retablo
A retablo celebrating the origin of potato (papa) from the Andes mountains of Peru.
The figurines of retablos are made of a powdered mix of gypsum and potato.
Made by Cesar Urbano in Lima, Peru. Material: Potato, clay, wood, paint.
Design: Johan Olin / COMPANY 2020. Size: 200 x 250 x 100 mm




08.2025
Back in Helsinki we send more letters and samples to Cecilia.
D rawings & samples: Aamu Song.




07.2025
So honoured to meet with Toquilla master Cecilia in Lima craft fair. So happy that she is willing to work with us.




2025
We are really happy to be back in Lima, Peru! Meeting with old friends at craft fair.
After many years we are finally able to restart our journey into Peruvian Secrets.




2025
Lima, Peru. DIY office for quick designs before revisiting masters.




2020
Dreaming of returning to the Andes.




24.01.2020.
Shopping for miniature homes at Alasitas Miniature fair in La Paz, Bolivia.
Our final destination on our three weeks journey into Andean secrets.
Some remarks from the Floating Islands of Uros, Lake Titicaca, Peru. And from Alasitas market La Paz, Bolivia. Sketchbook drawigns Johan Olin.




Hats on at Mercado Laykakota, Puno, Peru.




Food shopping in Cusco for a bus ride to Puno, Lake Titicaca.




Meeting new friends with old techniques in Ayacucho, Peru.



Learning the secrets of Retablo art from master Cesar Urbano.




Meeting master idols of Retablo art.




Becoming retablo characters in Ayacucho, home of Peruvian Retablo art.




01.2020.
Arriving to Andes.
This is our first journey into to Andean Secrets. We'll be spending two weeks traveling along the Andes through Peru and into Bolivia.