Frequently Asked Questions

In the past on Curaçao the eldest sister of the family was often given the pet name Chichi. Chichi binds the family together in a loving and caring way and she is helping her mother raise her younger siblings. Often the Chichi was well rounded and sturdy in posture. That used to be a sign of good health and beauty. The goal of our sculpture is women empowerment. A Chichi is proud of her appearance and is not ashamed to show it. With this we also want to stimulate the Curaçao woman to be proud of her body and to express that in a neat way. The message we want to convey is, be yourself, be proud of who you are and love yourself regardless of your appearance.

Our brand, Chichi®, is registered in all colors, and we want to point out that the black doesn’t refer to the skin color. The black is our bestselling item since 2013. Black makes the colors stand out better and shows the heritage of our African Caribbean background. If we, for example, give Chichi® a brown or green color, the colors of her outfit would shine less brightly.

The Chichi® doll definitely has characteristics of the famous Austrian ‘Venus of Willendorf’ sculpture, and the women created by Fernando Botero and Niki de Saint Phalle, but is absolutely a unique personality on her own. History show us that these sculptures are made at all times. Gonneke van den Kieboom learns us more about that, read her article here.

The Venus of Willendorf was identified as a piece of Upper Paleolithic art, dating from 28,000 to 25,000 BC. Being a piece of prehistoric art, the statuette has been the subject of many different theories and interpretations. It has, however, been suggested that the piece is meant to be a fertility figure, a symbol of a mother goddess, or a token of good luck. Bron 

The work of Colombian artist Fernando Botero. For Botero, the voluptuous figures tell a story of a sensual happiness in life, celebrating the beauty of the natural world. Bron

Niki de Saint Phalle a French-American artist. Nana moyenne danseuse, 1970. Those Nanas, as well as her now completed monumental Tarot Garden in Tuscany, embody the figurative, literal qualities with which they are associated. But like her Shooting Paintings, they also convey the abstract essence of the Nouveau Realist desire to appropriate images of the world and translate them in ways that help us perceive reality anew. They are the culmination of the lifework of an artist who was fully committed to expressing her personal truth in her own way. Bron 

American artist Jeff Koons. Some view his work as pioneering and of major art-historical importance. Others dismiss his work as kitsch: crass and based on cynical self-merchandising. Koons has stated that there are no hidden meanings in his works, nor any critiques. Bron

When Serena started making Chichi’s® it was a one-man-show. She needed a mold that she could reproduce fast. If you are making a mold with fingers and toes, it will be very time intensive to touch up those details. Serena designed a female figure with only curves for simplicity and easy reproduction. This worked out very well since Chichi® was loved by her customers from the start.

Serena herself isn’t good in painting eyes, it is very difficult to make them look sympathetic to everyone. If it looks at you the wrong way, you might not choose that Chichi®. When you don’t like the face, the design of Chichi® falls away.

Chichi® represents the culture of the older, loving and caring sister, she is not a real human being.

The workshop will take 2,5 hours, including the story of the emergence of Serena’s Art Factory; an explanation of painting techniques; use of the workshop facilitations, paint and brushes; painting in beautiful setting. At the end of the workshop all painted Chichi’s® will get a the finishing touch by Serena’s Art Factory which includes, a quality control, felt placed under the Chichi®, a label attached and a Trademark sign®. The sculptures will be wrapped in a nice box for a happy and save transportation.

For more prices check our products & prices

Chichi® sculptures (in different sizes and poses), key chains, wine stoppers, magnets, door hangers, bon bini boards, angels, mermaids, tote bags, pins.

Bubu’s (male version of the Chichi®), and also animals like Goats (different sizes and poses); Pushi (Cats), Chochi (dogs), donkey, turtles, prikichi (parakeets) and lots more.

The Shawawa is a very special person in the community. She is wearing the curls in her hair. Now
a days you don’t see much Shawawa’s anymore. But back in the day some women would put
rollers in their hair. Instead of staying inside they would walk around in public with their rollers in
their hair. This was a way to let everybody know that she will be at the party later that night.
However at the party she would be nicely dressed up.

The address is Jan Luis 87a, Santa Catharina, Banda ariba, Curacao. Which is near the CurAloë Plantation and the Ostrich Farm (please also see under ‘Contact‘ for the map)

Open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 9:00 to 17:00; Mondays, Sundays and on public holidays closed.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00

Mondays, Sundays and public holidays closed

Every Tuesday & Saturday morning from 9:00am-12pm at Serena’s Art Factory.

09:00 – 09:15 – Walk-in, no reservation needed
09:15 – 09:30 – Welcome with coffee/ tea – Choose your sculpture
09:30 – 10:00 – Start Workshop – Explanation
10:00 – 12:00 – Painting your own Chichi®

More info

Serena’s Art Factory, Jan Luis 87a;
Chichi shop Punda, Windstraat 16 next to Gomez Plein;

Curaçao Activities, Weg Naar Westpunt 29, near Sambil shopping mall.

See contact for the map.

Chichi’s are available for worldwide shipment, see our online collection at Curmade

The white Chichi® at Sandals® Royal Curaçao is an custom made order especially designed for the Resort Hotel. Our client was inspired by the Royal Delft Blue porcelain to outline their brand. Serena designed this with the beauty of Curaçao like cactus, beach, kunuku houses, dolphins and tropical flowers painted with cobalt blue to represent our Dutch Caribbean roots.

Our brand, Chichi®, is registered in all colors, and we want to point out that the black or white doesn’t refer to a skin color. The black is our bestselling item for the last 13 years. Black makes the colors stand out better and shows the heritage of our African Caribbean background. If we, for example, give Chichi® a brown or green color, the colors of her outfit would shine less brightly.

This Art work stands for BIG love and BIG care, she is a big sister.

We don’t sell these porcelain-look Chichi’s® in our shop, however it is possible to order a custom made Chichi® with this design in any size.