Apus are counted as living mountains from pre-Inca times in several villages in the Andes (Peru and Bolivia in particular), to which is attributed directly influence the life cycles that dominate the region. It has a meaning associated with a deity, in some regions called "wamani" an important character, or one of the mountains that according to the pre-Inca tradition of the Andes cared for the people of the valleys were irrigated by water from its summits. The "Apu" is a "huaca" (sanctuary), but a monumental scale.

The Apu regional wamani were characterized by their altitude or having perpetual snow unlike local, mountains or hills that stood out over his environment wamani Apu. Especially in the latter after the Spanish conquest were implanted Catholic elements, such as the Christian cross, to erase the "heathen" ceremonies of the collective imagination.The Apus is a concept that is part of the ancient Andean cosmology, they are some sacred mountains that are seen as gods and are worshiped. My idea of the project is to give a view of fantasy to that concept and treat Apus such as mountains and giant beings that are present in the life of the Andean people.
-Juanco Alegre

The design emerged from the idea of giving life to these creatures, but their shapes are not quite human, Apus are great beings growing forests on their backs, which can affect the tides when they enter the sea, living in interaction with people who treat them as gods.Their faces seem carved into the rock with a very similar between them form. I wanted to show the great and powerful presence of these beings if they were real.
-Juanco Alegre

My inspiration is the Andean world, myths and legends, the cosmology of the past of my country, which is rich and varied, I try to recreate these myths with a touch of fantasy and present while respecting the past. I do not have a definite style, I have some forms or designs that I like to repeat in my work, but I'm always in constant experimentation in styles.
-Juanco Alegre

I always advise people to investigate, the internet has become the best showcase for and to see what is being done globally. And always give the best of yourself when doing something, find passion in what you do and do not care what others think, be true to what you want to do.
-Juanco Alegre

About Juanco Alegre

Juanco Alegre is an artist from Peru, he graduated as a graphic designer but also specialises in post-production and illustration. The illustration and design work has always been his greatest passion, especially to design characters in the field of sci-fi and fantasy.He likes to explore the work of character design or production of the films, conceptual art and independent works by different artists around the world, but always seek to rescue the essence of the visual culture of his country in his work. See more of his work at Behance.