As part of his research on literary representations of indigenous workers, Martínez-Arias explores how writers from mining centers in Junín depicted the realities of indigenous laborers, offering perspectives distinct from the dominant, urban-based indigenismo. His study analyzes the works of regional authors such as Gamaniel Blanco, Mateu Cueva, and Clodoaldo Espinosa Bravo—figures often overlooked in traditional literary histories.
Martínez-Arias’ article highlights how these authors, writing from direct experience in mining communities, addressed issues frequently ignored by mainstream indigenismo, including environmental pollution, occupational diseases, and the transformation of the Andean landscape. His research underscores the importance of local voices in understanding early twentieth-century Peruvian literature and broadens discussions on the intersections of labor, ecology, and indigenous representation in Latin America.
