Rember Yahuarcani: The myths are the rivers of memory
In this talk, artist, writer, activist, and curator Rember Yahuarcani joins curator Giuliana Borea to discuss his studio practice, the role of mythology in his work, and the challenges on indigenous art.
This conversation takes its title from a quote by Santiago Yahuarcani, which highlights the profound relationship between myths, rivers, and memory. Together, we will explore how Indigenous mythology and art can help us reimagine a more sustainable and interconnected future for the world.
The event is free to attend. Please book a ticket here.
Rember Yahuarcani is an artist, curator, activist, and writer from the Aimenɨ White Heron clan of the Uitoto Nation in northern Amazonia, Peru. His artistic practice explores the complexities of Uitoto ontologies and Amazonian worlds, advocating for respect toward Indigenous life projects and cosmologies. His work has wide international circulation.
In 2024, Yahuarcani participated in Foreigners Everywhere at the 60th Venice Biennale. His most recent solo exhibitions include JUMA. Preservar la memoria. Imaginar el futuro at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de La Boca–MARCO (2025), and Here Lives the Origin at Josh Lilley Gallery in London — the gallery that represents him. He is currently taking part in group exhibitions such as La Noche es Bella at the XVII Bienal de Cuenca, Amazonia: Creations and Indigenous Futures at the Musée du Quai Branly, and Listening to the Voices of the Rivers at Newcastle Contemporary Art.
His curatorial activity includes the exhibition Ite!/ Neno!/ Here! (with G. Borea, 2020), La Canoa: Melodías desde el Río (2023), and Somos Raíces (with I. Lenzi, 2025).
Giuliana Borea is the director of the Amazonart Project, Senior Lecturer in Latin American Studies at Newcastle University, and an Affiliated Lecturer in Anthropology at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Her research concerns the political economy of contemporary art worlds and their transnational networks; museum theories, politics and practices; place-making and sensory knowledge. Borea has built her career at the intersection of research, teaching, curatorship and cultural policy. She has been Peru’s Director of Museums and Cultural Heritage and Coordinator of the Lima Contemporary Art Museum. Her curatorial work includes The Amazonian Rubber Boom (2023 with E. von der Walde) and Ite, Neno, Here: Responses to Covid-19 (2020 with R. Yahuarcani). She is the author of Configuring the New Lima Art Scene (Routledge, 2021).
This event is part of a wider public programme for Listening to the Voices of the Rivers. More information about the exhibition and other events can be found here.
All events are free to attend.
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Image: Rember Yahuarcani