Antonio Paucar, a Peruvian artist, has been awarded the 11th Artes Mundi prize, a significant recognition from the UK art community. This award grants him ﾣ40,000 to further his artistic practice, which uniquely blends performance, sculpture, and video, deeply influenced by his Andean background and Peruvian identity.
During the award ceremony held at the Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum in Cardiff on January 15, Paucar shared his vision to convert his family's home in the Peruvian central highlands into a dual-purpose museum and art school. He highlighted the importance of preserving his ancestors' legacy and addressing the absence of art educational and exhibition spaces in his hometown of Huancayo.
Paucar, a former beekeeper who studied at the Universit￤t der Knste Berlin, is known for his work addressing ecological concerns. His exhibition at Artes Mundi features the film "El Corazon de la Montaa" (2018-2019), which sheds light on the environmental degradation of the Huaytapallana mountain range due to mining. Although often perceived as an activist, Paucar identifies primarily as an artist, creating profound connections between art, heritage, and environmental advocacy. A poignant element of his exhibition is a sentence written in his native Wanka Limay language with his own blood, translating to "The heart of the sacred mountains is weeping blood," powerfully conveying his message.
Antonio Paucar's dedication to his heritage, artistic innovation, and environmental consciousness serves as an inspiring example for artists worldwide. His use of art as a medium for cultural preservation and social commentary underscores the profound impact that creative expression can have on both local communities and global dialogues, fostering a deeper appreciation for indigenous cultures and environmental stewardship.