This week we spoke to Angela Santana, artist and creative, about where she draws her inspiration from, what her narrative is and what she hopes for the future. 

ABF:

Angela Santana, we absolutely love your art works. They are so beautiful. Can you tell us how your art journey began and what led you to where you are today?

Angela:

Thank you so much ABF. I’ve always loved art and creativity. I have so many memories of painting even as a very young child. I must have been 2 or 3 years old when my parents sat me in the garden with large rolls of paper and paints, this was my happy place and I’m thankful they supported my artistic expression from early on. Even my childhood birthday parties were centred around painting. Looking back, I realise now that I was never concerned with representational art, for example, I didn’t care how realistic my drawings looked, it was much more about the emotion, expression and experimentation.

As a teenager, I couldn’t wait to get into art school and was accepted at F&F Art School in Zurich for the Foundation Year. Then, after earning my degree in Graphic Design at Medien Form Farbe I worked abroad for years.

I gained experience in Paris, Hamburg and London as a Designer and Creative Director, and even had my own design studio to combine art and design for my international clients in the music and fashion industry. I always continued painting and brought my own visual language into the works by combining manual and digital techniques. This lead to my current chosen medium – digital painting and oil painting in large scale works on canvas.

ABF:

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Angela:

Art & design history, music, literature, magazines, cinema, the internet & people.

ABF:

What have you found most challenging on your journey to being the artist you are today?

Angela:

How much time goes into creating and painting each work, standing in stark contrast to how fast art is consumed in our digitally dominated lives. I am reminding myself that good things take time. If we were only to create at a pace to “keep up” or what “performs well”, the world would be bleak. My work takes time to come to life, and I’d like to think that even for the viewer, letting images grow on you is more important to me than being liked at first glance. Especially for the generations to come. It’s important to remember not everything has to be immediate.

ABF:

What are your hopes and dreams for the future Angela?

Angela:

I’m very thankful for all the opportunities that come my way and I am glad to be able to show my work on such renowned platforms, places and galleries. Having solo shows also allows me to further immerse the viewer into my work and my universe. Even geographically speaking, from Art Miami to London and New York to places like Mexico City or Germany, I am in awe that I am able to reach viewers around the world and would love to continue to do so.

ABF:

What is one narrative you think needs to change in the art world?

Angela:

Similar to any other industry, there’s still much to be done to create an equal and diverse environment. The art industry is far from it and it’s shocking when you look at the numbers. Auction prices are only the tip of the iceberg where gender inequality is at play and that is just one example.

ABF:

For you personally, what has been one narrative that you feel has held you back and one that has propelled you forward?

Angela:

Inequality and female biases have held me back, and breaking these narratives in my art is what propelled me forward. It’s also very inspiring to me seeing narratives of others and being part of a community and conversation.

ABF:

Choose one inspiring narrative you like to live your life by.

Angela:

Being an artist for me means freeing myself everyday in new and positive ways. Leaving behind expectations or pre existing ideals, to really question the status quo and habits in our society in order to reimagine the world we live in.

ABF:

Finally, what is your favourite song and favourite ABF workout?

Angela:

Music is so important to me, narrowing it down to only one song is pretty impossible! But as I’m writing this I’m listening to Minnie Riperton – Les Fleurs.

Pilates Flow workout with Yasmin!

This blog is all about building a community of people who want to Change The Narrative for the better. If you want to share your story on our blog please email us at info@abodyforever.com.

We celebrate stories because stories and the narratives we tell ourselves dictate our lives.

Love Amy + The ABF Team