Roland Santana is a Chicago-based artist whose study began by observing his father’s industrial processes while working as a house painter in the early 2010s. As his familiarity with domestic building techniques grew, Santana began to incorporate them into his creative projects–using materials like reclaimed foam, silicone, plaster, and concrete. By experimenting with ideas of scale and the roles of materials, he evokes a vibrant abstract language that carries a sculptural essence. Bold color decisions unlock spiritual dimensions, transforming and transmuting his art from reality to a euphoric dream world.

“Painting is a daily ritual for me. I am always experimenting in the studio; it is what allows me to always be surprised and never bored. I began my art practice by only using industrial materials, but I work with traditional oil paints more often now. There is a romanticism in the history of this type of paint and I am inspired by artists like Édouard Vuillard and Asger Jorn. What is most exciting for me in the studio is knowing that there is always another chapter and that one painting can live many lives. I can pick a piece I finished a year ago and continue right where I left off.”

- Roland Santana