Macarena Salinas Amaral

Macarena Salinas is a Chilean artist whose work explores the profound relationship between nature, materials and artistic gestures. With a focus on the tactile qualities of ceramics and painting, her creative process emphasises the expressive power of raw materials, particularly clay and pigment, as carriers of meaning. For Salinas, it is the material itself that speaks, forming the foundation of her artistic vision.
Driven by a fascination with the origins of life and the earth, she uses clay — essentially rock particles shaped by hand and fire — as a medium that bridges the physical and the spiritual. Salinas embraces the mystery and spontaneity of creation, welcoming the unexpected marks, gestures and accidents that arise during the creative process. These traces, embedded in the final piece, become part of its identity and expressive force.

Salinas draws inspiration from the cycles of nature, viewing them as harmonious, regenerative and magical. Her abstract compositions reflect the energy, rhythm and unity of natural life while also aiming to convey a sense of mystery. She describes painting as a moment of surprise and emergence where each piece takes on a life of its own, becoming autonomous from its creator.

Born in Santia...

Studies
1990-1995
Catholic University of Chile. School of Art.Mastr´s Degree with honors in Fine Arts. Painting Mention.
2004
Workshop with Eugenio Dittborn.
2005
Workshop with Concepción Balmes.
2013-2021
Workshop with Huara Huara con Ruth Krauskopf
2019 Member of IAC International Ceramic Academy

Solo Exhibitions
2023 “Ancestral Cartographies” Solo paint and ceramic exhibition La Sala Gallery, Santiago, Chile.
2022 “Connections” Solo paint and ceramic exhibition at Gally Gallery, Miami, United Estates.
2018 “Sacred Circles” Solo ceramic exhibition at La Sala Gallery, Santiago Chile.
2010 “Essential” Solo paint exhibition at Isabel Aninat Gallery, Santiago Chile.
2005 “Origin” Individual paint exhibition at Artium Gallery, Santiago Chile.

Collective Exhibitions
2025 "The New Gold Rush" Pan American Art Project Gallery, Miami, United States
2024 “6 Contemporary ceramics Chilean Artist” Ralli Museum, Santiago, Chile.
2024 “Metamorphosis” Morton Gallery, Philadelphia, United States.
2023 “Barro6” Collective ceramic exhibitions at Alonso Gallery, Santiago, Chile.
2023 “Water and Heat” Collective ceramic exhibition at MIFA Gallery, Miami, United States.
2021 “Date in the Park” Collective exhibition with Huara Huara, La Rioja Palace, Valparaíso Chile
2018 “Black and White” Collective exhibition “Esteka” Magazine, Casas de Lo Matta, Santiago, Chile.
2017 “Contemporary Clay” Collective exhibition Huara Huara Parque de Esculturas, Santiago, Chile.
2017 “Earth” Collective Exhibition with Huara Huara, Bodegón Los Vilos, IV Región, Chi...