ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Antonio Paucar's Andean Rituals Meet Celtic Wales in Artes Mundi 11 Exhibition

exhibition · 2026-04-20

Antonio Paucar is showcasing his work in Artes Mundi 11, the premier biennial contemporary art award in the UK, with exhibitions taking place throughout Wales from 24 October 2025 to 1 March 2026. His installations at Mostyn in Llandudno and the National Museum Cardiff highlight performances and sculptures that blend Andean Indigenous heritage with the landscapes of Wales. Paucar's artistic approach integrates Quechua language, alpaca fiber weaving, and themes such as Ayni and Illapa to confront issues of climate change and political violence. Among his performances is 'Pirueta en la tierra de Llandudno (2025),' where he walks barefoot, leaving traces in the earth while playing the Mama Quena flute. His other pieces include 'Energía espiral del Ayni (2025)' and 'Illapa (2021).' Artes Mundi 11 features six artists from around the globe, and Paucar's works are included in significant collections.

Key facts

  • Artes Mundi 11 runs from 24 October 2025 to 1 March 2026 across Wales
  • Antonio Paucar created new performance 'Pirueta en la tierra de Llandudno (2025)' for the biennial
  • Paucar's work explores Andean concepts including Ayni (reciprocity) and Illapa (lightning deity)
  • His pieces use alpaca fiber weaving, referencing Indigenous Andean techniques and cosmologies
  • Paucar's art addresses climate change, political violence, and ancestral knowledge preservation
  • The artist's work is held in collections at MoMA New York and Museum of Contemporary Art São Paulo
  • Artes Mundi 11 features six international artists at venues including National Museum Cardiff and Mostyn
  • Paucar performed barefoot in North Wales, interacting with Celtic standing stones and landscape

Entities

Artists

  • Antonio Paucar

Institutions

  • Artes Mundi
  • ArtReview
  • National Museum Cardiff
  • Aberystwyth Arts Centre
  • Chapter
  • Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
  • Mostyn
  • MoMA
  • Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen
  • Museum of Contemporary Art São Paulo
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
  • Museo de Arte de Lima
  • Wrocław Contemporary Museum

Locations

  • Wales
  • Cardiff
  • Aberystwyth
  • Swansea
  • Llandudno
  • United Kingdom
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • São Paulo
  • Montreal
  • Lima
  • Wrocław
  • North Wales

Sources