Antonio Paucar, an artist and beekeeper from the Andes, won the Artes Mundi prize in Wales, a biennial award recognizing contemporary artists. Paucar received the £40,000 prize for his diverse work, including a large-scale alpaca wool sculpture and a video performance addressing the environmental crisis in his region.

Paucar's winning entry included "La Energía Espiral del Ayni," a hand-woven alpaca wool sculpture representing interconnectedness. He also presented a video of himself writing a poem in his own blood about the environmental challenges facing his community while seated at a table in the mountains. Paucar plans to use the prize money to build a cultural center in his remote Andean community in Peru.

The Artes Mundi prize, based in Wales, aims to showcase the work of talented artists who may not have received widespread recognition. The organization seeks to highlight art that engages with social realities and human experience. Paucar's work aligns with this mission by addressing environmental concerns and cultural preservation.

The selection process for the Artes Mundi prize involves a panel of international jurors who assess the artistic merit and social relevance of the nominated artists' work. The prize is awarded every two years, providing a platform for artists to gain international exposure and support their artistic endeavors.

Paucar's win represents a significant achievement for an artist working in a remote region and addressing critical environmental issues. The cultural center he plans to build will serve as a space for artistic expression, cultural preservation, and community engagement in the Andes. The next steps involve Paucar's planning and construction of the cultural center, which is expected to benefit his community and promote environmental awareness.