Santiago de Paoli
Santiago de Paoli's painting might seem surprising to the viewer. At first glance, the artist appears to be representing a number of common themes and elements, such as moons, candles, lamps, socks, g-spots, nuts, flowers and skies with clouds. But his work requires being contemplated through a feeling of curiosity, allowing the visitor to discover a personal view. Despite the varied and sometimes unusual materials the artist adapts to create his compositions, the economy of means and personal choice of aesthetic formalisms ties the work together, with a disruptive sense of humour and a childlike innocence.
Santiago de Paoli’s recent projects and solo exhibitions include “Inside the Red Barn”, OSMOS Station, Stamford, New York, USA, 2022; “A leaf in the wind”, Galerie Jocelyn Wolff, Paris-Romainville, France, 2021; “Bebê Rasteja”, Mendes Wood, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2019-2020; “Entre nosotros y el objeto”, Môvil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2016; “Pescado y Papas”, Wireless Ridge, Stanley, Falkland Islands, 2015; “The New Society”, Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, USA, 2007. Amongst other group shows, his work has been presented at X Museum, Beijing, China, 2021; Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019; Nouveau musée national de Monaco, Villa Paloma, Monaco, 2018; Musée d'art contemporain de la Haute-Vienne, Château de Rochechouart, France, 2018; Lulu Gallery, Mexico city, Mexico, 2017.
"Who's that comin' round the bend" is a new podcast by Clara Schulmann dedicated to Santiago de Paoli's work. Based on interviews made during the last few weeks, the podcast flits around his life and work. During this 25-minute ride, Santiago and Clara talk about London, the rain, bricks, the Amazonian forest and owl monkeys, how Santiago discovered painting and abandoned biology, why he likes Lee Lozano, and how he works with felt.
Maybe we are stronger with our eyes closed.
Podcast in English/French
Created by Clara Schulmann
Edited by Aline Gorisse
Clara Schulmann is a writer and art critic based in Paris. She teaches at the Beaux-arts de Paris. Her last book, Zizanies, was published in 2020 by Paraguay Press.