Micaela Flores Amaya, (born 1938) better known by her stage name, La Chunga, is a spanish flamenco dancer, and painter of naïf art.

Early life

Micaela Flores Amaya was born in Marseille, France, in 1938, although the exact date of her birth remains unknown. Her parents were Andalusian Romanis, who emigrated to France during the Spanish Civil War. When she was less than a year old, her family moved to Barcelona. Additionally, she is the sister of flamenco dancer Lorenza "La Chunguita" Flores Amaya, and cousin of famed flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya. La Chunga started dancing when she was six years-old in the "Ca La Rosita", a well-known bodega for the Romanì community in El Poble-Sec. It was at this time she was discovered by painter Francisco "Paco" Rebés, during one of her improvised street performances. Rebés would later take her under his tutelage, and assume the role of her godfather.

Career

La Chunga became the 'muse' of several writers, including Blas de Otero, Rafael Alberti, José Manuel Caballero Bonald and León Felipe, as well as several painters, including Picasso, Dalí and the aforementioned Francisco Rebés, who made her an attractive character for intellectuals and encouraged her to paint. A 1958 photo shows Salvador Dalí inviting her to make art by dancing on a blank canvas. During intervals, Dali would paint beneath her feet. She was known for her barefoot style of flamenco dance and described as "The Barefoot Dancer". She was admired by Picasso as a "shining naif". She also exhibited in several galleries in Paris and Madrid. Since then, Chunga has participated in many tours and some movies. She married the cinema director José Luis Gonzalvo and they had a daughter, Pilar.

Filmography

Prizes