Biography
From major political problems to basic human needs and fears, Eugenia Cuéllar’s paintings are basically focused on individuals. Individuals interacting with individuals, in different spaces and situations, in Marc Augé non-places, etc. Individuals subjected to other individuals and rules, to customs and conventions. And, in this process, individuals in motion, going or passing by, or trying to flee from their own circumstances.
Representation begins from what is considered reality, either own reality based on personal photographs or sketches or, mainly, media reality deliberately, and carefully, studied and chosen. The process departs from an abstract idea to a concrete development based on different materials, objets trouvés, collages and compositions made up of real characters that are placed in different situations and set to play. Therefore, the pictures become not mere depictions of people, but rather images of ideas and images which suffer a deconstruction. There is only a softened documentary interest that may be concealed most of the times.
As a result, the action of painting produces a new reality which acts as a curious and selective mirror. This mirror will no longer return or reflect your image as it was, it will enlarge or shorten it according to the code it has been given by the critical and analytical eye of the artist.
In addition to oil painting, she also produces a large number of works on paper, drawings based on different techniques (ink, watercolour, graphite) which are selected according to her aim of bringing out the essence of things. In contrast to oil works, these are mainly black and white, harsh and sombre, introducing us in a kind of parallel world which functions as counterpoint to the colourful paintings.
Eugenia Cuéllar achieved a Degree in Law and is currently completing Fine Arts in Complutense University in Madrid. She combines contemporary conceptual studies with classical training in painting attending courses in Central Saint Martins (London) and Taller del Prado and Guillermo Muñoz Vera’s Academy in Madrid. Since 2010, he has taken part in several group exhibitions, being selected for shows at important institutions and shortlisted and finalist in relevant prizes exhibiting in United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy and Spain. She currently lives and works in Madrid, Spain.
