Somos raíces: Indigenous Paintings and Sculptures by Santiago Yahuarcani and Nereyda López at Círculo de Bellas Artes

The exhibition 'Somos raíces' showcases the work of Santiago Yahuarcani and Nereyda López, exploring indigenous cosmogonies through painting and sculpture. It delves into themes of oral tradition, community resistance, and the harmony between humans, non-humans, and nature, challenging colonial narratives.

Somos raíces' brings together the artistic universes of Santiago Yahuarcani, a painter and sculptor from the Uitoto nation, and Nereyda López, a sculptor of Tikuna and Cocama descent. Living in Pebas, Peru, their work is deeply rooted in the oral traditions, spiritual practices, and communal resilience of their ancestors. The exhibition, curated by Isabella Lenzi and Rember Yahuarcani, serves as a journey into these indigenous cosmogonies, emphasizing a vision of harmony between humanity, the non-human world, and nature. Their art reinterprets ancestral myths and spiritual realms, bringing them into the present while also confronting the historical extractivism and violence, particularly the rubber boom that impacted the Amazonian communities. Santiago Yahuarcani primarily uses natural dyes on 'llanchama,' a plant-based fabric, while Nereyda López crafts her sculptures and masks from seeds, roots, and fibers gathered respectfully from her environment. Their artistic practice is intrinsically linked to their way of life, which includes cultivation, daily care, dreams, and the transmission of ancestral knowledge. Art in their family is understood not as an individual pursuit but as a collective endeavor, born from shared work and inherited wisdom, passed down through generations. This exhibition, the first dedicated to both artists outside Peru, features a significant collection of pieces, some dating back to the early 2000s and others created specifically for this show, challenging colonial narratives and advocating for the recognition and visibility of indigenous voices. In an era marked by ecological, social, and political crises, 'Somos raíces' posits art as a vital tool for resistance, connection, and reimagining the world.

Admission to the exhibition requires purchasing a ticket, which can be bought online or at the box office. Public activities related to the exhibition are free to attend but do not include exhibition entry. Special prices are available for normal and reduced admission, and members of CBA are admitted free of charge. The box office is the place to purchase tickets and check prices. Standard hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00, with Mondays closed.