The billowed rugs and other objects in Antonio Santin’s ghostly oil paintings are rendered with unsettling realism. The Madrid native works in “elaborate still-lifes,” as he alters his subjects to create new realities. The artist taps into the tradition of Spanish Tenebrism and a sculptural background to dream up and execute these works on canvas. When photographed from a distance, the work still turns heads, with the viewer attempting to understand what he or she is seeing. He was featured in Hi-Fructose Vol. 18 and was last featured on HiFructose.com here.
“He orchestrates elaborate still-lifes, manipulating both objects and the human form to construct a space he describes as ‘more real than reality itself,’” a statement says. “He creates a visceral tension between surface and space with a range of techniques that incorporate both the technical foundations of classical painting and unexpected alterations to the qualities of oil paint to re-assemble the sensory experiences of everyday life.”
The artist’s work is held in collections and has been exhibited in spots across the globe. Solo exhibitions have taken place at Marc Straus Gallery In New York, Galerie Lichtpunkt in Munich, Wilde Gallery in Hong Kong, and Sharjah Art Museum in the United Arab Emirates. He currently is based and works in New York.
