On the 16th of October 2021, we shared an afternoon of artistic intervention with artist and friend Pecon Quena from the Shipibo-Konibo community of Yarinacocha. For her first time visit to Cusco, she shared her stories about ‘the dueños’, her connection with them, and the plants that motivate her to paint. This workshop was an all day event that involved a session of painting from stenciled drawings of Pecon's original dueños, a group participatory painting of a large-scale canvas mural, and ending with a presentation of her custom-designed playing cards.

Towards the second half of the workshop, the attendees were invited to also help paint a large scale canvas that Pecon Quena had prepared earlier on as a collective and fun exercise.

‍

Later that evening, we presented the project of the Pecon Quena playing cards; a set of illustrated cards for children and adults that were made in collaboration with María Cecilia Bogado for Xapiri Ground.

‍

‍

Biography | Pecon Quena

Lastenia Canayo, also known as Pecon Quena in the Shipibo-Konibo language, was born and raised in the native community of Roroboya, on the banks of the lower Ucayali River. Her name in the Shipibo language means 'the one who calls the colors.' 

She is gifted with different artistic skills such as ceramics, embroidery, carving, and obviously painting. In all her artistic works she represents animals and plants with their spirits. Called yoshin (an evil spirit) and ibo (a good spirit). Through her paintings, Lastenia has a vision to show that each plant and animal has a protector to safeguard the forest.

‍

‍‍

‍