Cristina Llanos

My artistic work is based mainly on paper drawing. I use drawing as a tool to transform photographic images into pictorial ideas that I de-contextualise in order to allow re-interpretation.

I normally work in watercolour because it let me suggests a contrast, both in the sensorial and perceptual sense, to the beauty and serenity of this technique versus the conceptual hardness of the subject matter. It gives to my work an ironical tone.

I work in series because I usually become engrossed with specific topics, which I investigate and study until I understand them or not.

I usually collect images that I find on the Internet. At the same time I photograph the world that surrounds me: friends and family, objects that string along with me, places I’ve been… This collection of images is my own album, which I constantly use to look for references for my work.

I work especially with the concepts of privacy and exhibitionism, in order to reflect on themes regarding the cultural phenomenon that is the irrepressible urge to "be visible", the cult of the personal spectacle, the growing fictionalization of reality, and the disappearance of the boundary between public, private and intimate.

I have a degree in Fine Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid and graduated in Arts and Crafts Applied in illustration at the Art School Nº10. I combine my work with that of my alter ego Nikita Rodriguez.

My work has been shown as a solo exhibition in alternative spaces such as Mediodía Chica: “Mujeres voladoras” (“Flaying Women”) 2010, Madrid, or Espacio Menosuno: “Broadcast yourself!” (2011), Madrid, as well as at The New Gallery: “El Pacto Secreto” (“the Secret Deal”) (2015), Madrid.

I have also shown in various group exhibitions: 2021 MATERNAL. Between Stockholm syndrome and acts of production. MUAC, Mexico // 2021 Vegap Proposals Exhibition 2020. XXIV Call for Grants for Visual Creation at Centro Centro Cibeles, Madrid // 2019 ALTERATION/ Deorder & Compression. Tokyo Gallery. Background Studio, Madrid // 2018 “Working glass” Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art in Glass of Alcorcón. Madrid // 2017- 2016 “Waiting for Thoreau”. Disobedient exhibits. Amadís INJUBE Room, Madrid. AECID Roaming in Cultural Centers of Spain in Tegucigalpa, Asunción, Santo Domingo and Montevideo// “Papeles Privados” ("Private Papers") DKV Collection and Collection Tomas Ruiz. Instituto Cervantes (Munich, Berlin, Krakow) from 2014 to 2015. “Querida corrupción” ("Dear corruption") Trapezio Sala, Madrid (2015),“El soporte de la cultura” ("The support of culture") (2013) Gotelé Room, Madrid. “Artists from The New Gallery Exhibition” Madrid (2012). “inc...