Célia Vasquez Yui “The Council of the Mother Spirits of the Animals” Central Pavilion of the Giardini, Venice Biennale 2026

Célia Vasquez Yui Célia Vasquez Yui is a Peruvian artist and environmental activist who sees her role as that of a shaman.

The work she is exhibiting at the 2026 Venice Biennale, “The Council of the Mother Spirits of the Animals”, reflects her spiritual commitment.

The artist is convinced that every animal species is endowed with the same mother spirit.

Célia Vasquez Yui Her conception of ecology therefore goes far beyond a simple desire to preserve nature.

Célia Vasquez Yui has therefore gathered all the forest animals in a semicircle so that they can discuss amongst themselves the rights of nature that need to be protected.

Her ceramic animals, gathered for a symposium, are part of the animal kingdom—their bodies cannot be separated from it—but by giving them a voice, she grants them the same rights as humans.

Célia Vasquez Yui