Paucartambo

Inspired by the legendary Virgen del Carmen festival in the highlands of Cusco, Paucartambo, captures the electric energy of one of Peru’s most vibrant cultural celebrations.

Constructed from a cardboard armature and layered with plaster bandages to define its form, the mask’s design draws from the festival’s iconic characters. It blends the grotesque, horned defiance of the Saqra (devils) with the mystical, guardian presence of the Ukuku (the mythological bear-man).

This piece comments on cultural preservation, rebirth, and the enduring resilience of syncretic Andean tradition. It stands as a homage to a ritual space and Peruvian folklore.

Exhibited at Actualize AiR: “Intervals” 
January 8 – February 22, 2026
Seattle, WA