Santiago Evans Canales

In his artistic practice, made up of colour and abstract figuration, Santiago Evans Canales takes inspiration from the autobiographical as well as historical and fictional references that have brought a sense of wonder throughout his life.

Born in Mexico City, the artist grew up in different parts of the Americas. The constant changes in his personal life inspired him to create works that symphonize observation, abstraction, and magical imagination. Canales’ works attempt to capture the childlike wonder and imagination he had while growing up. Pareidolia is always the origin point for his works. In his paintings, colour becomes the foundation for form, space, mood, light and atmosphere. The images that his canvas depicts are quickly digested but create an emotional tension between the viewer and the painting.

Santiago Evans Canales (b. 1996) lives and works between Mexico City, Mexico and Antwerp, Belgium. He attained his MFA from the Royal Academy of Antwerp (2021), and received his Postgraduate Degree from the Royal College of Art (2022) in London. His works have been exhibited at Galerie Derouillon, Paris; PLUS-ONE Gallery, Antwerp; Gallery Sofie Van de Velde, Antwerp; and can be found in numerous private and institutional collections including the X Museum, Beijing.