Oswaldo De León Kantule, known as "Achu", is a Panamanian artist with a strong connection to his community in Guna Yala despite his international renown. Born in Ustupu, in the Guna Yala region, he grew up immersed in nature, which is the main inspiration for his art that celebrates Guna culture and promotes reflection on the coexistence between tradition and modernity.
His work, rooted in the principles of traditional Guna art such as duality and abstraction, seeks to convey a message of respect and balance with nature to ensure the sustainability of indigenous communities. Throughout his career, he has lived in different countries and has achieved significant recognition, such as his participation in the Venice Biennale and his FAO award in 2025 intended for indigenous peoples.
The award-winning painting titled "A Day of Fishing" shows a Guna family fishing in a canoe with a butterfly sail, merging traditional elements with contemporary symbols. Kantule has managed to integrate the rich Guna cultural tradition into his work, reinventing it and granting it symbolic and visual depth through layers of overlapping colors.
Kantule's art is a reflection of his identity and cultural resistance, while also incorporating modern elements to create a dialogue between the ancestral and the globalized. Through his art, he seeks to keep Guna culture alive and convey a message of respect for nature and balance with the environment.
