Master craftswoman Genoveva Nuñez, originally from Cusco, obtained the 2020 Amautas of Peruvian Crafts National Prize, in recognition of her outstanding career preserving craft tradition in the Inca country, the
has reported.
This distinction is the most important granted by the Peruvian State through Mincetur to national crafts.
Therefore, Genoveva Nuñez —a representative of the artisan line of imagery— joins the select group of 36 artisans from seven Peruvian regions, who are recognized as Amautas (educators).
Within this framework, Mincetur stressed that the recent election places her as the seventh woman to receive this title in the South American country.
The prize was handed over by
Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Claudia Cornejo, who highlighted the work of teacher Genoveva Nuñez, meaning her contribution to the development of crafts in the nation, as well as the transmission of knowledge to new generations of men and women who are dedicated to this ancient activity.
"This award recognizes the almost 40 years of experience of Genoveva Nuñez who, along with her husband instructor Jesus Urbano Rojas, highlighted the
Ayacucho Retablo (altarpiece). In addition to her wonderful work, through her teachings she has shown us her commitment to preserve the Peruvian cultural heritage over recent years," Cornejo asserted.
Genoveva Nuñez
Mrs. Nuñez's career began in 1982 at the Ayacucho Imaginary and Altarpiece Workshop course taught by master craftsman Mr. Urbano Rojas —an Amauta of Peruvian handicraft who would later become her mentor and husband.
At that workshop, she learned from her partner the techniques of imagery. Thus, she was able to capture experiences and customs from Cusco —the place where she was born.
In 2014, her husband passed away. After that, Mrs. Nuñez took charge of continuing with the altarpiece tradition.
Since then, she has not stopped working. The craftswoman has held exhibitions throughout the country and served as teacher at workshops and other courses, as well as speaker at seminars on art. In 2018, she won the Joaquin Lopez Antay Medal awarded by Mincetur and the Congress of the Republic.
The Amautas of Peruvian Crafts National Prize has been held since 2000 and is organized by the General Directorate of Crafts (DGA) at Mincetur.