Recently selected by Nike to collaborate on a shoe inspired by her heritage, American-Bolivian artist Charlene Eckels shares what it was like working on the momentous project to honor her maternal family in the Amazon and what motivates her today.

Isis Nicole: I recently learned that you’ve created a book for the visibility and education of the indigenous peoples in the Amazonía region of Bolivia. How would you describe yourself first (Charlene as an individual), and then your culture?

Charlene Eckels: As an individual, I am naturally curious and observant. I feel I’m a conglomerate of mixed identities. While I was born in the USA, I am also sensitive and compassionate to my mothers heritage. Being raised in North Carolina, over time, I started noticing differences in my appearance, my moms accent, and realizing that my parents weren’t from the same background. This all lead my curiosity. Funny enough, while I was getting permission to translate and use information for this book, the expert in this subject brought up my western mindset. His sister was friends with my grandmother, and my family lives in the same town … yet here I was asking for official written permission. You see, in this culture, word of mouth and family name hold weight. It looks unnecessary and silly for me to ask for authentication. [For so long] I was used to seeing a stereotypical perception of Bolivia that includes coca leaves and similarities with neighboring Andean countries. But, seeing and traveling to where my maternal family is; staying with them for brief periods of time, I can assure you their customs, food, dress, and music is different. I inherited both of these cultures, being born here, which has unlimited resources to explore and pursue what I choose. And since, I rarely see anything on the subject of Bolivia, let alone anything on the Amazonian region of Bolivia, I am inspired to bring this knowledge to the forefront.

IN: Can you share with us what lead to your collaboration with Nike?

CE: I posted first hand images of the situation in Bolivia on Instagram during the fires which are now archived. The images got so many shares that I was offered to tell my story and design. I was picked “out of thousands of people” (what the email read), and the shoe will be released online November 1, 2019 for a very limited time. I will have the link on my Instagram up when it drops.

IN: How did you feel working on the project?

CE: I felt ecstatic that I got to design a Nike shoe that had meaning. I consulted my family and made sure it was perfect. I wanted to make sure everything was an homage to my heritage [down to] the name and colors.

IN: Do you have any favorite memories or stand out moments in that process?

CE: Things went very quickly since getting picked to do this project. That moment that I got to tell my family was pretty great. The name “Paraba” happened because my aunt told me a story that all of the parrots were escaping the fires and flying into the towns/cities. They were telling everyone not to bother the parrots, just to provide them with water.

IN: What motivates you today?

CE: I started creating art at four-years-old, so its always been a normal, natural part of my life. I have an inherit need to communicate and shed light on the things I want to understand more. Matisse (who I admire) once said, “A picture must always be decorative.” I challenge that popular phrase and hope that I can contribute things with meaning to the world.

IN: What would make your happiest when everything’s said and done?

CE: This project leading to more projects, and so on. That makes me happy. As long as I’m allowed to continuously share my art and designs, I am happiest.

Available here online November 1.

Artist Charlene Eckels on “Paraba” Nike Shoe Release