Works of neo-Amazonian art

The Weltkulturen Museum has acquired nine paintings from the Peruvian ‘neoamazónico’ school through the non-profit project Tonkiry Artists-for-the-Rainforest. This contemporary art movement can be traced back to the painter Pablo Amaringo (1938-2009), who founded the Usko Ayar art school in the Peruvian Amazon region in 1988. The 2025 newly acquired works are by artists who trained with Amaringo or his students: Harri Mires Villacorta, Gledis Panduro Vazquez, Sami Paola Ruiz Macuyama, Alexander Shimpukat Soria and Dimas Paredes Armas.

The central theme of the vibrant acrylic paintings is their close connection to the cultural landscape of the Amazon rainforest and its human and more-than-human inhabitants. Indigenous traditions, shamanic knowledge and spiritual references are all reflected in the art. This applies not only to the motifs, but also to the artistic inspiration. Some of the painters are practising shamans. Harri Mires, for example, processes visions of the late Pablo Amaringo induced by ayahuasca in his works.

With these new acquisitions, the Weltkulturen Museum is expanding its existing neo-Amazonian collection, which curator Mona Suhrbier established by purchasing paintings by Amaringo and his students.