For this article in the international artist series, we turn to Argentina,
featuring six artists who create fantastic work, from illustration to
graphic design and more! I asked each artist how their country and
culture inspired their work, and they delivered fantastic answers.
Enjoy!
Santiago Oddis
Santiago is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His unique illustrations have an air of sophistication that transport you to another time with their composition and style. Check out a small selection of his work below or see
more in his portfolio.
Los Caminantes
What I love the most about Argentina
is that feeling of "magic realism" in people, where everyday things can
turn into a magic resource for design and visual thinking. I'm currently
living in Buenos Aires, a huge city with big colors and
history; and the great thing about these cities is that you can find
inspiration in everyday life.
The Sinatra Club Poster
Song for the City
I was born in a small mountain city called San Juan, and I like to
think that my work has a bit of that naivety that can be found in such
regions. At the same time, living in a place like Buenos Aires, with a
big mix of cultures, helped me to add contrasts in the graphic form. I
think my work is a result of that feeling of naivety and a powerful
palette of ideas and colors―typical of this part of the world. Argentina also has an awesome culture rich in humor that I always felt was a part
of my style.
Yeditto
I believe there's a strong
and talented art community here that's starting to break through. I think the
best part about it is the quality. Everyone's work is full of good
intentions and crazy ideas.
Jenifer Blanco Monzón
Jenifer is graphic designer and art director based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her work features a mixture of fun typography and beautiful paintings bursting with color. Check out a small selection of her work below or see
more in her portfolio.
#BeLike
Since I am originally from Venezuela, when I moved to Argentina I felt a big change. But I love the passion of the Argentinians! The food, the Sunday
rituals of barbecue with family and friends, and their parties! I love Argentina because it gave me independence, work
experience, lots of side projects, and amazing friends that I can call
family.
Crafting for Notebooks Collection
I think I have been influenced by both Venezuela and Argentina. They are two super different cultures but at the same time we are
all Latinos. Venezuela has a tropical and Caribbean flavor and
Argentina has a more European touch. If you combine those two, you
get me! I love to put lots of colors and passion into my art and I am sure that I got that from the combination of both
countries.
Print FCB Buenos Aires
Skull for Circus BA
Here in Buenos Aires you get to see art everywhere. From little
exhibitions in independent galleries, to big ones at major art museums. And the street art here is amazing! Mural art and graffiti on
almost every wall! Argentina influenced my mural art which expanded
my comfort zone and for that I'll be forever grateful!
FÚ
Fú is an illustrator and art director from Buenos Aires, Argentina. His vibrant work is rich in beautiful culture and ancient history. Check out a small selection of his work below or see
more in his portfolio.
Negra Tomasa Artbook I
What do I love about Argentina? The Mate. The humor.
The weather. The sympathy. The asado. The music. The family. The graphic
design. And the talent of its people.
Pop Kai
Musical Nature
Argentina is a melting pot of diversity. Different cultures were interjected here throughout time. In addition, it's a heterogeneous place. The best place to open your mind and prepare for all kinds of
creative thinking. I can find any kind of influence anywhere, and at any time.
Modern Ritual
It's difficult to define the Argentinian art community; there are
so many variants to it. But there is one common factor to it all and it would be that there is a relationship between
the social conditions that we pass through, and the great imagination of
creative professionals we have here. Life pushes people to
find solutions to survive, and in that way, it educates people to try to
find a creative point of view every time.
Daniela Arias
Daniela is an illustrator based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her unique style features beautiful watercolor paintings influenced by her fascination of nature. Check out a small selection of her work below or see
more in her portfolio.
Watercolor Characters
Argentina is an amazing country, full of beautiful landscapes and
people. Probably what I like the most is the people, the way they get
along with each other, the passion they put into their projects, and the
push to conquer any obstacles. In this messy world we live in, Argentinians tend to be resilient.
Nadie Tiene Que Saberlo
Argentina influenced me mostly in the way I do things. I learned to
carry on projects until I finish, and believe in what I do no matter
the market. In the graphic design area, the landscape and nature
has made a huge impact in me with the things that I draw.
Dinosaur Friend
Watercolors
In the art community, I've moved around between comics and illustration. As artists we are individualistic, yet always pushing each other and learning from one another. There's a lot of self-managed projects here, but also a
fluid relationship between people and the constant amount of new work
coming up.
Gustavo Zambelli
Gustavo is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Neuquén, Argentina. He
creates fun designs influenced by his love of food and color. Check out a small selection of his work below or see
more in his portfolio.
Ricos Quesos
Argentina is really awesome, the people here are really kind and
friendly. And the food! The food is one of the best things in our
country!
Sándwich de Miga
52 Pizza Slice Project: 52 Weeks of Pizza
I live in Patagonia, where we have really cold winters
and super hot summers. There's also many different landscapes and a lot of awesome and unique food.
In my case, these things have influenced me completely and have made me what I am as a designer.
Bierhaus Brewing Co.
The art community, in general, is really good. Although it's still
missing more influence in the digital world. Most of the schools and universities about design are really old school here. And they
are not really into the digital world of design.
Paula Duró
Paula is a visual artist based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her beautiful paintings are rich in cultural history and symbolism. Check out a small selection of her work below or see
more in her portfolio.
Jupiter Divinorum
Argentina is a land of immigrants, that means there are a lot of
traditions from many parts of the world. Italian, Spanish, and
even Chinese are a part of the everyday landscape.
Magia y Mistica Art Book
My work is influenced by culture, especially from the earlier days. It has much regional influence from Cumbia and also from nearby
countries like Peru and Colombia.
La Fuerza
El Gigante Dormido
There are many types of artists in our community, from conceptual artists to illustrators
and graphic designers. There is also quite the underground movement. For
example, in my case I no longer work with art galleries, but instead, use the internet to promote my work.
Many thanks to the artists who took time to answer my questions
and share a bit about themselves and how their country and/or culture
has affected their work. You can check out more of their work in the
links below:
Santiago Oddis
Jenifer Blanco Monzón
FÚ
Daniela Arias
Gustavo Zambelli
Paula Duró