La Chunga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Chunga
|
|
|---|---|
Picture of La Chunga
|
|
| Born |
Micaela Flores Amaya
1938 |
| Died | (aged 87) |
| Occupation | flamenco dancer, naive artist |
| Years active | 1944–2025 |
| Spouse(s) | José Luis Gonzalvo |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Carmen Amaya (maternal cousin) |
Micaela Flores Amaya (1938 – 3 January 2025), known by her stage name La Chunga, was a famous Spanish flamenco dancer. She was also a talented painter of naïf art, which is a simple, natural style of art.
Contents
Early Life of La Chunga
Micaela Flores Amaya was born in Marseille, France, in 1938. Her exact birth date is not known. Her parents were Andalusian Romani people. They moved to France during the Spanish Civil War. When she was very young, her family moved to Barcelona, Spain. She was also the sister of another flamenco dancer, Lorenza "La Chunguita" Flores Amaya. Her cousin was the well-known flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya.
How La Chunga Started Dancing
La Chunga began dancing when she was six years old. She performed in a place called "Ca La Rosita" in El Poble-Sec. This was a popular spot for the Romani community. She was discovered by a painter named Francisco "Paco" Rebés. He saw her dancing on the street. Rebés became her teacher and godfather.
La Chunga's Amazing Career
La Chunga became an inspiration for many famous people. Writers like Blas de Otero and Rafael Alberti admired her. Painters such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí also found her inspiring. Francisco Rebés, her godfather, encouraged her to paint.
Dancing and Artistry
In 1958, a famous photo shows Salvador Dalí inviting her to create art. She danced on a blank canvas. Dalí would paint under her feet during breaks. La Chunga was known for her unique barefoot flamenco style. People called her "The Barefoot Dancer." Picasso admired her as a "shining naif" artist. She showed her paintings in galleries in Paris and Madrid. Later, La Chunga went on many tours and appeared in several films.
Personal Life and Passing
La Chunga married a director named José Luis Gonzalvo. They had one daughter, Pilar. La Chunga passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 87.
Films Featuring La Chunga
La Chunga appeared in these movies:
- Tip on a Dead Jockey (1957)
- Back to the Door (1959)
- El último verano (1961)
- Juan Pedro the Scyther (1969)
- "Cierto reflejos: La Chunga" (1978)
- Vampire in Venice (1988)
- Papa Piquillo (1998)
Awards and Honors
La Chunga received several important awards for her work:
- Medalla de Oro del Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (Gold Medal from the Circle of Fine Arts in Madrid)
- Medalla Oro de la Asociación de la Prensa de Sevilla (Gold Medal from the Press Association of Seville)
- Trofeo Delfín de Alicante (Dolphin Trophy of Alicante)
- Premio del Ayuntamiento de Alicante (Award from the City Council of Alicante)
- Premio Cidale de los Almendros (Cidale de los Almendros Award)
See also
In Spanish: La Chunga para niños
