Lastenia Canayo was born in 1962 in Roroboya, Bajo Ucayali in the central Peruvian Amazon. She is a respected member of the Shipibo-Konibo people who continues the traditions passed down from her mother and grandmother. Lastenia’s native name is Pecon Quena,"the one who calls the colours” and her mother’s is Maetsa Rahua,"the one who sees sound."

 

Initially she was taught how to work with ceramics and later she explored painting and embroidery. Her visual repertoire introduces us to the cultural universe of Ybo / Yoshin teachers, mothers, and other powerful entities that protect Amazonian animals, plants and all beings of nature. Through her conception of nature, Lastenia visualises the various protective beings or “owners” of the plants and animals that are represented in her paintings.

 

Early on in her career she participated in an intercultural dialogue with researchers from Rural History Workshops at the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM) in Lima under the direction of the historian Pablo Macera and has since presented her work in various international exhibitions. In 2014, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture recognised Lastenia with the prestigious title of Meritorious Personality of Culture.