About
Charlene Amini is a Bolivian-American artist, author, and founder of the American Bolivian Collective. Her work blends illustration, cultural preservation, and storytelling to make the voices, traditions, and history of the Bolivian diaspora visible to the world.
Mission
Rooted in the Bolivian Amazon and raised between two cultures, Amini creates projects that preserve memory, celebrate heritage, and connect communities. From books and art to cultural initiatives, her work bridges past and present so that Bolivian identity continues to thrive across generations.
Background
Amini studied Studio Art at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and her path has taken her across the globe—living and creating in Bolivia, Dubai, Bahrain, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and South Korea. She is also a proud member of the Sindicato Boliviano de Artistas en Variedades.
Her story is shaped by resilience and heritage. She even survived a plane crash in the Bolivian Amazon. An experience that deepened her commitment to telling stories of memory, survival, and identity.
Contact Charlene for more info.
Collaborations & Exhibitions
Her work has been showcased in exhibitions and projects across the U.S. and internationally, including:
Collaboration with Nike on the React Element 55 design (2019)
International showcases in Seoul, London, and beyond
Media & Recognition
Amini’s work has been featured in outlets such as Remezcla (“5 Bolivian-American Creatives”), Bolivian Express, and
Looking Ahead
Through art, books, and community, Charlene Amini’s goal is to reclaim narratives, amplify Bolivian voices, and share stories of resilience and heritage with the world.
Artist Talk
2024 US Embassy in Bolivia Interview
2021 Living Arts Long Beach Guest Artist United Cambodian Community. https://ucclb.org/youth-enrichment/
Exhibitions
2021 Bird and Tale Gallery “Crema Amazonica”, Chicago IL
2019 “Nike x We are Cultivator” Guest Designer ( Fall 2019)
2019 “16th Yongsan International Art”, Seoul, South Korea (October 2019)
2018 May fly 17 Guerrilla Play Exhibition, Seoul, South Korea
2018 Busan International Environmental Arts Festival, Busan, South Korea
2018 Yongsan International Arts Festival, Seoul, South Korea
2017 Illustrated Women in History Exhibition, Swindon, UK
2013 Exposition “Seahawks in the Burren”, UNCW Wilmington NC
2013 Exposition “14 Pieces”, Acme Art Studio, Wilmington NC
2012 Fashion Week: “Hope for Glamour”, (Madre): Art and Activism for Womens rights, New York NY
2012 Exposition “In your Eyes”, Empire Roof Hotel, New York NY
2008 Exposition of Art, National Academy of Fine Arts “Hernan Siles”, La Paz, Bolivia
Publications and Promotion:
2021 Project with NGO: Pintar en Bolivia “La Mision de PIE” (Spanish with Quechua translations, and English with Quechua translations)
2021 “Meet Charlene Adams: American Bolivian Artist”: https://shoutoutla.com/meet-charlene-adams-american-bolivian-artist/
2021 “Bird and Tale Maker”: https://birdandtale.com/collections/charlene-adams
2020 “Bolivianita Gloss REMEZCLA”: https://remezcla.com/features/culture/self-care-guide-with-latino-owned-business-to-support/
2020 “100 ML”: 100 ML Postcards From Series: “Bolivianita Gloss”
2020 “American Bolivian Collective”: http://www.bolivianexpress.org/blog/posts/exploring-cultural-identities-explorando-identidad
2020 “5 Bolivian-American Creatives You Need to Know” REMEZCLA: https://remezcla.com/features/culture/bolivian-american-creatives-fashion-music-art-to-watch/4/
2020 Coloring Sheets FREE for COVID19 through VEOLEO Publishing: https://veoleo.co/shopall/charleneeckels
2020 “She just did it” Feature UNCW: https://uncw.edu/features/articles/she-just-did-it.html
2019 “Charlene on Paraba Nike Shoe Release” Isis Nicole Magazine: http://theisisnicolemagazine.com/blog/charleneeckels
2019 “The Nike React Element 55 ‘Paraba’ Delves Deep Into The Amazon” Sole Supplier UK: https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/news/the-nike-react-element-55-paraba-delves-deep-into-the-amazon/
2019 “Meet Charlene Eckels” Feature Voyage LA: http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-charlene-eckels-charlene-eckels-hacienda-heights/
2019 “Bolivian American Artist” Feature Bolivia Bella: https://www.boliviabella.com/charlene-eckels-bolivian-american-artist.html
2019 “Sobremesa Magazine”: Amsterdam, Netherlands
2019 “Like a Girl Zine” curated by Tyler Elise. Ohio, USA
2019 “American Bolivian Collective” Founder: Los Angeles, CA
2019 “Illustrated Women in History”: https://illustratedwomeninhistory.com/juana-azurduy-de-padilla/
2018 “Bolivian Express Magazine” Feature, La Paz, Bolivia: http://www.bolivianexpress.org/blog/authors/BX%20Crew
2018 “Crazy Multiply” Featured International Artist. Seoul, Korea
2018 “Atelier Fracais D’art” Artist Study, Seoul, Korea: http://atelierfran.com/221364085170 - http://atelierfran.com/221366268349
2018 “Booklandia, Featured Book page”, Bilingual Books for children, CA
2017 “Bolivian Coloring Book”, printed in Bolivia 2015, available on iTunes
2017 “Illustrated Women in History,” ‘Bartolina Sisa’, Swindon, UK
2016 “St. Sucia” magazine, collaboration, San Antonio,TX (UCLA Women’s studies)
2015 Recognized National Bolivian Artist, Sindicate de Artista Bolivianos
2014 Interview in 365 artist 365 days: http://365artists365days.com/2014/08/04/charlene-eckels-wilmington-north-carolina/
2014 Latin American Art: http://www.latinamericanart.com/en/artists/charlene-eckels/biography.html
2013 Cover and article in Palaver / Palaver 2013 Summer: https://www.flipsnack.com/Palaver/summer-2013.html
2013 Artist profile in Winterhouse: Presentacion de Artistas Visuales de todo el mundo: http://www.winterhouseinternational.com/2013/09/eckels-andean-art-plastic.html
2013 Artist Spotlight in Empty Easel: http://EmptyEasel.com/2013/11/20/charlene-eckels-masks-of-the-devil/
2013 Gallery Cargo Collective Artist: http://cargocollective.com/charleneeckels
2013 Exposition and article in Palaver 2013 Fall: http://palaverjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fall-2013.pdf
2013 Exposition and article in Yareah: http://www.yareah.com/2013/10/12/2309-dance-devils-artist-charlene-eckels/
2012 Exposition in “Art in Embassies: Cultural Exchange through the Visual arts”: http://aieregistry.org/portfolio.cfm?id=2662
2012 Article in “Madre: Art and Activism for Women’s Human Rights”: https://www.madre.org/press-publications/blog-post/hope-glamour-art-and-activism-women%E2%80%99s-human-rights