Ariel Pañeda

Ariel Pañeda weaves Indigenous Purépecha cultural heritage into a contemporary visual language, reflecting themes of resistance, identity, and environmental activism. As a founding member of Colectivo Cherani, Pañeda channels the community’s struggle against illegal logging and cultural erasure into powerful, multilayered works that blend painting, photography, and installation. His compositions often incorporate natural materials and symbolic imagery connected to ancestral traditions, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between past and present. Through his art, Pañeda preserves and revitalizes Purépecha knowledge while addressing urgent issues such as land protection and cultural survival. His work balances reverence for natural landscapes with a dynamic approach to form and medium, inviting viewers to engage with the resilience and sovereignty of his community. By fusing traditional techniques with contemporary expression, Pañeda creates a visual narrative that speaks to collective memory and activism, underscoring the enduring spirit of the Purépecha people in a rapidly changing world. ...