For several years, Awasi has used its three properties – boutique Relais & Chateaux hotels located in some of South America’s most iconic landscapes – as a canvas to inspire and support local and international artists.

The scheme, known as Awasi Artist Immersion, has led to a large number of collaborations with an exciting mix of artists, ranging from painters to sculptors, designers to dancers, each of whom have spent a week immersing themselves in the natural world around the forests of Iguazu, Chile’s Atacama desert, or the grasslands and mountains of Torres del Paine in Patagonia.

Spearheading the Awasi Artist Immersion initiative is Alexandra van Peborgh, Awasi’s Art Curator.

Born in Buenos Aires, Alexandra moved to Rio de Janeiro as a teenager. Growing up amidst the Argentine countryside, and holidaying in Patagonia every summer, combined with an adolescence spent visiting Brazil beaches and rainforest, gave her an enduring love for South America’s natural landscapes.

The striking scenery of Patagonia, visited as a child, began a lifelong love with the landscapes of the Southern Cone

Art around the world

In 2022, Alexandra graduated with an MA Honours in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh.

Internships at the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) and Sotheby’s paved the way for a research role at the London artworld-startup Aonia. Continuing her globe-trotting upbringing and education, Alexandra then moved to Venice for a Museum Management traineeship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

After a year in Italy, Alexandra returned to her hometown of Buenos Aires where she soon found her calling; spearheading the Awasi Artist Immersion programme as in-house Art Curator.

Alexandra was quick to call on her extensive artistic experience, combined with inspiration gleaned from her knowledge of South American landscapes, to pull together a programme designed to highlight the importance of preserving native ecosystems through creative endeavours.

Art and nature, intertwined

The results of the initiative were so positive that Alexandra decided to found AVP Art Advisory, in order to offer her services to other hotels that share a mutual appreciation for art and nature.

“I never imagined I would start my own firm, but when I did, everything came together naturally and smoothly” she reminisces fondly.

Alexandra has begun her own art firm after the success of her work with Awasi: AVP Art Advisory

Art, nature, and hotels

Art and nature are the two forces which have shaped Alexandra’s life. AVP Art Advisory was born from these two passions, combined with her support for contemporary artists.

The primary purpose of AVP Art Advisory is to bridge various forms of artistic expression with the vibrant elements of nature. Through AVP, and her work with Awasi, Alexandra aims to promote sustainable practices and conservation efforts through collaboration with hotels, encouraging the properties themselves, and local communities and visitors, to protect and conserve the surrounding areas.

Artists get connected at Awasi Iguazu

Awasi Art Week by LabVerde

The most exciting project to date, for Alexandra, has been a collaboration with Awasi and LabVerde, an Amazon-based art collective curated by Lilian Fraiji.

Together, Awasi and LabVerde invited five artists to spend a week together at Awasi Iguazú, working individually and collaboratively to explore the theme of water.

The artists together during Awasi Art Week x LabVerde

The world through the eyes of an artist

Alexandra had visited Iguazú before this week, but “nothing compares to seeing the world through the eyes of an artist.”

“I had read about the excursions, collaborated with the team to organise the artist immersions, seen photographs of the hotel and its surroundings, and heard about others’ experiences; but being in such a unique place was far more powerful than I had imagined; my eyes were wide open.”

“Being alone with those open windows facing the rainforest, I felt deeply immersed in the green and tranquillity that only nature can provide.”

Ingrid Weyland and her team spent a week in the Misiones jungle with Awasi Iguazu

Art and nature in dialogue

The energy and warmth of the Awasi Iguazú team made the experience unforgettable, says Alexandra.

“Art and nature engaged in continuous dialogue, blurring the lines between where one ends and the other begins. Each artist brought a unique perspective and sensitivity, from which I gained immense insight.”

The artists said that this was the best residency they had ever participated in. They greatly appreciated the care the Awasi team had shown towards them and their practice.

“This made the experience truly magical for all of us, filled with connection, learning, and creativity.”

Alexandra felt “immersed in green” during the Awasi Art Week

Future expansions for the Awasi Artist Immersion

The success of the Awasi Art Week has led Alexandra to envisage creating something similar next year, with one group in Awasi Iguazú and one in Awasi Atacama, with one slight enhancement; Alexandra’s plan is to allow guests to join the group and form part of the experience.

The Awasi art programmes take place in Awasi Iguazú, an all-inclusive luxury Relais & Chateaux lodge located in the forests near Iguazu Falls, and Awasi Atacama, a Relais & Chateaux 12 villa lodge in the ancient town of San Pedro de Atacama in Northern Chile.