Maria Santi ist an abstract artist. Born in 1970 in La Plata, Buenos Aires where she lives and works. Graduate of University in Arts UNLP, and Postgraduate in UNA and with a practice grounded in painting and drawing she explores and interrogates about materiality, color and organic and geometric abstraction. Her artworks investigate these categories and their possible alliances, covering extension and space. Currently, she is pursuing studies in Astrology at Casa XI in Buenos Aires.
Since when do you paint and what are your favorite motives?
I have been painting since I was a child. After high school, I pursued a degree in Arts, and since then, I have always been involved in the art world. My practice unfolds in the realm of contemporary art, primarily through pictorial language, although not all works take the form of traditional paintings. My interest always originates from something tangible, a product of my research in the studio. I draw inspiration from various art movements, but the History of Painting, with its constant questioning, particularly resonates with me. Within that tradition, I feel an affinity for abstract art in general and 20th-century movements, from avant-gardes to Madi and Rioplatense abstraction.
When you create a new work, how do you proceed? What comes first?
When I am working in the studio, I conduct numerous material experiments that provoke thoughtful considerations. This process is reciprocal, and I never know whether the thought or the material discovery comes first. Each artwork doesn't feel entirely new to me; rather, it is a seed planted in a previous piece. Ideas are constructed in stages and don't suddenly emerge but are cultivated over time.
From what do you get your motivation?
My motivation stems from my love for art. I believe art provides a human opportunity to love, create, transcend, engage in dialogue, challenge, question, build, and continually seek meaning. It is not only my way of life but also my daily task.
Your life without art would be...
I cannot imagine my life without art. It has always been intertwined with my existence, not just through personal practice but also through teaching art, participating in art collectives, attending exhibitions and biennials. Art is the central axis of my life; it is a lifestyle.
What's the best art venue in your city right now?
The best exhibition venue in La Plata is the Centro de Arte UNLP. This space hosts exhibitions and projects centered around feminism, diversity, contemporary artistic languages, and the visibility of local artists. On March 16, I will be inaugurating an exhibition there alongside another artist and a curator.
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