When Landscape Becomes Part of the Work
What happens when an artist is given time to experience a place before deciding what to make of
it?
The Awasi Artist Immersion invites artists from different disciplines to spend five nights
surrounded by the ecosystems, culture and communities of an Awasi destination. Each artist
responds through their own practice, creating work shaped by what they encounter along the way.
The first projects from the 2026 edition took place at Awasi Atacama and Awasi Iguazú, with more
artists and destinations still to come.
At Awasi Atacama, Argentine painter Carlos Gómez Centurión worked directly in the desert. At
higher elevations, the cold was so intense that his watercolors froze, leaving the conditions of the
Andes quite literally embedded in the work. Steam, pigment and temperature became part of the
creative process, turning the desert from subject into participant.
Brazilian artist Santídio Pereira arrived looking to the sky. Known for his vibrant woodcuts, his
recent work has explored stars and celestial forms. During his stay, however, journeys through the
Andes with his private guide drew his attention to the mountains themselves. Colors, forms and
changing light filled his sketchbook, creating studies that will become the starting point for future
paintings.
At Awasi Iguazú, Brazilian multidisciplinary artist Ana González Berganton explored the contrasts
of the Atlantic Rainforest, from the force of the falls to the stillness of the forest. After learning about
traditional Guaraní basket weaving, she created a silk installation in the lodge gardens designed to
move and change with the wind, rain and surrounding environment.
Back in Atacama, Brazilian photographer Fabiano Al Makul explored the desert through light,
color and scale. His journey took him to Cerro Toco, over 5,600 meters above sea level, while
Licancabur Volcano remained a recurring presence. The experience inspired a new photographic
series capturing the vastness and shifting character of the desert.
These first four projects offer very different encounters with place. Together, they provide another
way to experience the ecosystems Awasi works to preserve: through close observation, creative
interpretation and time spent immersed in the landscape.
More artists and projects from the 2026 Awasi Artist Immersion will be revealed soon.
Argentine painter Carlos Gómez Centurión showcasing a sketch inspired by the landscapes of the Atacama Desert, where high elevation became part of his creative process.
Brazilian artist Santídio Pereira cotemplating the landscapes of the Andes during his stay at Awasi Atacama, exploring colors, forms and changing light as inspiration for future works
Brazilian artist Ana González Berganton with her silk installation at Awasi Iguazú’s garden, created to move with the wind, rain and surrounding rainforest.
Brazilian photographer Fabiano Al Makul photographing the vast landscapes of the Atacama Desert, with Licancabur Volcano in the distance.
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