Sculpture and upcycling — especially when the materials come from the earth itself. My piece "Xi'Paal Kaab" (Bee Child) stands 8 meters tall, built with 90% recovered jungle materials: fallen trunks, roots, branches. Upcycling isn't just a technique — it's a way of saying the earth already has everything we need. I love making pieces that carry a story bigger than their size, rooted in indigenous culture, Mayan mythology, and a deep respect for the natural world.

My Mexican roots, always. Born in Oaxaca, with a father from Jalisco and shaped by years living in the Riviera Maya, my art grows from ancestral culture, travel, and the stories of everyday people. I find it in Mayan mythology, in the texture of old wood, in the faces of people who carry their heritage with pride. Even now in Canada, that world never leaves me — and I'm finding new stories here too. Every place has something to say. I just try to listen.

This prize would fuel two things I believe in deeply: family and culture. A portion would support my family as I continue pursuing art full-time in Canada. The rest would go into art projects that celebrate Mexican culture and stories, becoming a bridge between cultures and generations — awakening imagination, inspiring young people to honor their roots, and encouraging care for the world. Art has the power to change how people see the world — this prize could be the spark that makes it real.