Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Luján Candria. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Luján, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My artistic journey with art began at the age of 7 when I expressed my desire to learn how to draw and paint to my mother. From that moment on, I knew that art was my calling.

Even before completing high school, I had already enrolled at the National School of Ceramics in Buenos Aires.
Before my graduation, I was already working on painting ceramics by hand. Simultaneously, I continued to attend painting and engraving workshops.

Despite my early artistic involvement, I briefly explored other academic avenues, including a year at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. Yet, my heart inevitably led me back to my true calling.

I decided to take the entrance exam for the National School of Fine Arts (University of the Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina). It was during my time there that I reaffirmed my deep connection with art, solidifying my commitment to this lifelong journey.

Luján, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born in Buenos Aires and graduated in sculpture from Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes Prilidiano Pueyrredon (UNA) and also from the National School of Ceramics of Buenos Aires. Additionally, I pursued studies in Applied Musical Computer Science at Fonorama and Image Editing at the Mac Training Center (UNTREF).

My artistic journey is a tapestry woven with various media, each adding a layer to my introspective creations. Over time, I’ve incorporated photography and video, focusing on capturing those singular moments that are both ephemeral and unforgettable.

Following my immigration to the USA from Argentina, my artistic exploration deepened into the transformation, blurring, and concealment of memories—those imprints of perception, narratives, and the remnants we leave behind.

Today, my work delves into the boundaries of photography, focusing on the intricate relationship between landscapes and memories. My creative process involves the meticulous intervention of photographic images. I juxtapose, multiply, fragment, and merge them, weaving together poetic visuals.
This process mirrors the way our memories often blur over time, re-emerging as incomplete narratives.

Recently, I showcased a solo exhibition at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. I also presented solo exhibitions in international galleries and institutions, including Artemisa Gallery, Artium Art Gallery, O Cinema, Mock Gallery, Angel Guido Art Project, ThisIsNotAGallery, Centro Cultural Borges, Espacio Urania Giesso, Centro Cultural Recoleta, among others.

My work has also participated in group shows, art fairs, and festivals across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the United States.

I had the honor of receiving the ArtReview Residency Prize and having been selected to participate in prestigious exhibitions like Salón Acme 2023 in Mexico; Florida Contemporary at The Baker Museum in Naples, Seventh All-Media Juried Biennial; Optica IV Festival Audiovisual de Madrid at La Casa Encendida in Spain, and even featuring on Time Square Video billboards in New York.

I’ve also been selected for the Francisco Ayerza Prize at the Museo de Artes Plásticas Eduardo Sívori in Buenos Aires and have showcased my work at the VibaFestival Video Internacional at Centro Cultural General San Martín; III Festival Internacional de Video Poesía; Optica Festival Internacional de Video Arte, Palais de Glace; VI Festival de Danza, Centro Cultural Recoleta in Buenos Aires.

I’m deeply honored to have my work included in the permanent collection of Miami International Airport.

I’ve had the privilege of being an artist-in-residence at renowned institutions such as Fundación Casa Wabi in Mexico, Laboratorios Do Castro in Spain, Oolites Miami, and Casa La Providencia in Argentina.

Currently, I’m an artist-in-residence at Bakehouse Art Complex in Miami, where my studio is open to all who wish to know more about my work and creative process.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In hindsight, there are indeed some resources that I wish I had had earlier in my creative journey. Specifically, I believe that having access to mentorship and networking opportunities within the art community would have been immensely valuable. These resources can provide guidance, support, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for emerging artists. Mentorship, for me, represents a profound opportunity for growth and development. Having an experienced artist or mentor to provide guidance, share insights, and offer constructive critique can be transformative.
Networking is another invaluable resource that I wish I had tapped into sooner. The art world thrives on connections and collaborations.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Supporting artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem is crucial for enriching our culture and driving innovation. We need to ensure that arts education is accessible to everyone, from early childhood through adulthood. Boosting public and private funding for the arts is essential because grants and financial support empower artists and creatives to focus on their work without financial stress. Additionally, providing affordable and secure workspaces is vital. These spaces not only enable artists to create but also foster collaborations, making art more accessible to all. By creating a nurturing environment where artists can thrive, we foster a vibrant and dynamic creative ecosystem that benefits everyone

Contact Info:

• Website: lujancandria.com
• Instagram: @lujancandria

Image Credits
Pedro Wazzan. Luján Candria