What does the word ‘Lima’ mean to you?

To me, Lima means vibrancy and creativity. A melting point of different cultures.

Your first memory of Lima?

The sound and smell of the Pacific Ocean.

Where do you feel most at home?

In Barranco, the artistic and bohemian district. It's where my gallery is located.

What is the mark of a true Lima citizen?

Resourcefulness.

Which famous figure best embodies Lima?

An artist named Juan Javier Salazar, who passed away too soon.

Your favorite place for breakfast?

El Pan de la Chola, a small family business. It was one of the first places in Lima to make its own, handmade dough. The quality is excellent, their bakery is delicious, and so are their savory options. My favorite for a cozy and easygoing breakfast is ‘tostado de palta,’ a local version of avocado toast.

Where are the best boutiques?

In Barranco.

Guests at your dream dinner party in Lima?

The musician Susana Baca, the poet Blanca Varela, the historian Jorge Basadre, the singer and composer Chabuca Granda, chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz, as well as artists Julia Codesido and Tilsa Tsuchiya.

Where do you go out in Lima?

Rafael Restaurant, La Gloria Bar, Osaka Restaurant, Siete Restaurant, and Juanito Bar.

Which artwork best represents Lima?

There are several: Sandra Gamarra’s Funerales (2021), Juan Javier Salazar’s series ‘El último cartucho’ (2005), Ximena Garrido-Lecca’s Proyecto País (2011), as well as Gilda Mantilla and Raymond Chaves’s Dibujando América (2009).

What is the craziest thing you have heard or seen on the streets of Lima?

Motorcycles transformed into moving trucks.

What can you only do in Lima?

Eat a very fresh ceviche at Canta Rana, a unique restaurant in Barranco.

What do you miss most about Lima when you are away?

The diversity of vegetables and fruits.

Your best advice for those just visiting?

Go to El Centro de Lima, visit the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), go see the nearby Huacas (pre-Columbian structures resembling vast stairs), enjoy the view of the ocean and beaches, and try our diverse cuisine.

Livia Benavides will participate in Art Basel Miami Beach's upcoming edition with her gallery 80m2 Livia Benavides. She will present recent works by Gabriel Acevedo Velarde, Sandra Gamarra, and Ximena Garrido-Lecca in the show's Nova sector. 

All photos and videos by Florence Goupil for Art Basel. 

Published on October 31, 2023.