Daniel Barrios
Artist
Daniel Barrio (1988), Cuban visual artist based in Madrid. He began his training in painting at the Academia de Artes Visuales de Cienfuegos and complemented it with studies in Art Direction at the Escuela de Cinematografía de Madrid.
exposicion
Thinking the city
The call “Thinking the City” calls for emerging artists who, through their work, reflect and dialogue on the contemporary city, offering unique perspectives on their real experiences, research and desires, from a critical awareness. The initiative aims to give voice to visions that offer a new reading of urban landscapes and societies.
We have had an exceptional jury:
asun rodríguez montejano. Comisaria
Elba Benítez. Galería Elba Benítez
Carlos Garaicoa. Artista
Javier Aparicio. Galería El Chico
Paco de Blas. Gestor Cultural
Carlos Alvarez. Editor. Piece with Artist
Silvia Hengstenberg. ART U READY y The Sibarist
After carefully analysing each proposal received, we are pleased to announce the names of the artists selected in the first call for emerging artists,
‘Thinking the city’.
There has been a very high standard and it has not been easy to make the decision.
The shortlisted artists are (in alphabetical order):
Carme Aliaga Perera
Daniel Barrio
Sebastián Bayo
Paula Botella Andreu
Solange Contreras Pavez
Julia Grunberg
Stefanie Herr
Delfina Inés Giacomo y Wanda Acevedo
Rodrigo Moreno
Mina Nogueira
Chema Rodríguez
Dayana Trigo
Invernadero The Sibarist
San Lorenzo, 11
His interdisciplinary approach combines visual and scenographic skills to explore and critique cultural, social and political dynamics. He uses painting as an expressive and political medium, manipulating images to create new meanings and reflect on contemporary society. He has participated in exhibitions and art fairs, constantly seeking new media to address current issues. He has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions, most notably ‘Space is Landscape’ (Madrid, 2024), ‘Under Every (Black) Skin There is Always Another Skin’ (Egyptian Institute of Islamic Studies, Madrid, 2024), Maria Porto Gallery, Hiberia (Lisbon, 2023). He has also participated in art fairs such as Estampa (Madrid, 2023).
The work examines how migration transforms people’s identities and reflects the ephemeral permanence of homes in contexts of displacement. Using Henri Lefebvre’s sociology of space, it explores how globalised urban environments dehumanise individuals under the control of governments and corporations. Art is presented as a refuge from surveillance and the commercialisation of identity, offering a space for introspection and cultural resistance. ‘Utopia’ critiques power dynamics in modern cities and celebrates art as a sanctuary for authentic expression and the preservation of diversity.