Solange Contreras (1975), is a visual and plastic artist, lover of crafts and mixed media. Her artistic practice is influenced by her experience as a Latin American migrant woman, mother and student at 40, focusing on gender inequality and disconnection with nature. She uses traditional techniques such as sewing and carpentry to rescue ancestral thinking, questioning the neoliberal model through the value of time and dedication to materials.
The call “Pensar la Ciudad” (Thinking the City) called on emerging artists to reflect and dialogue on the contemporary city through their work, offering unique perspectives on their real experiences, research and desires, from a critical awareness. The initiative sought to give voice to visions that offered 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
Throughout his career, he has participated in several group exhibitions, highlighting his collaboration with the Asociación UCM Lanzarte, in exhibitions such as ‘Autenticidad’ (Museo Julio Escobar, Los Molinos, 2020), ‘Inquietud’ (Centro Cultural Alfredo Kraus, Madrid, 2021), among others. He received the grant to participate in the residency at CIAN Fabero, León, sponsored by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid or the grant for the Artistic Residency at Kárstica de la cañada del Hoyo called ‘Gestos Reparativos’ funded by the Museo Neomudéjar.
The project ‘Plant Infrastructure’ underlines the importance of recognising our cohabitation in an integral ecosystem, highlighting the etymology of ‘human’ (derived from ‘humus’) to illustrate our connection to the earth and the regeneration of life. It explores how trees in urban environments improve air quality, reduce heat and have positive social effects such as stress reduction. However, current urbanisation limits the space needed for trees to thrive, often degrading their environment. The project advocates for harmonious coexistence and the valorisation of marginalised plants that favour diversity in urban environments.