Today we’d like to introduce you to Galo Castro Santurio.
Galo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The only artist in my family is my grandmother, Mirta. So back in the day, my first steps into art was her. While taking care of me, she would show me these amazing art books or teach me how to draw. Mostly we would draw figures or faces together, which I was never any good at.
I sort of forgot about art for a while, and it wasn’t until I was at university, studying advertising, where I met two professors that opened my mind to a different way of being. Germán Gárgano and Francisco Baggiani taught me how to express freely and how to let go fully. I learned the power of surrendering and how to fall in love with the process of making.
I started painting, sketching and doing graffiti any chance I could get. At the bus stop or making morning coffee, I would scribble in my notebook little ideas or sketches. Later, I’d translate these ideas onto canvas or a wall (the street’s canvas).
Without totally knowing it at the moment, it’s how I try to make sense of the world around me. Now, it’s hard to imagine life without painting.
Later I’ll start reaching galleries or trying to discover how the artworld works. I’ll stumble across an Open Call that ‘Departamento 112’ a Gallery from Buenos Aires was making, and I made it to a group show. After couple months they decided giving me the opportunity of having my first Solo Show in 2023. And I will say that was one of the most important steps into the art scene. After keep on moving, and producing I haded the chance to participate in art faires, and even had another Solo Show, but this time in Los Angeles. Shit art club, a gallery based in DTLA, open the doors for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Somehow It’s never that bad. I always try to keep the energy and the motivation going. And that sometimes could be difficult, mostly struggling with economic issues. Argentina is a country where can be super hard to live from your art, so if you are not selling enough works, it’s pretty normal for Artists to have a side hustle or even a proper work. After that not much struggles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Now I’m working a lot more with Oils, and I also tried to change the surface where I would paint. Finding cardboards on the streets, bags or whatever that inspires me. At this moment I’m super touched by people working in the streets, from 7am to 7pm selling street tacos, bananas, or ice cream. So I’,m trying to show and reflect that in my latests works, wich are going to be exhibited in my next Solo Show at Shit Art Club, 130 E 4th street, DTLA on May 3rd.
I think I was always known for throwing this ‘childness’ paintings, but at the same time talking or showing about every day/ real situations. And making this concept of where the world is going to and all these new form of what is ‘life’ nowadays.
I’m really proud of my latests works and how I’m getting involved in Los Angeles. Getting to know more people with similar tastes and point of views as me, or even just being able to connect with people when its not my first language, and sometimes could be difficult to express, but not at all!
What are your plans for the future?
I think I would love to continue getting these experiences of showing my work all over the world, or also being able to make more residency’s programs. I would love to become a full time artist, and being 100% able to live from my Art. I look forward to keep on working in my progress, already coming here to LA it’s a big change for me (although it’s for a few months), but I’m here for the changes! I love having a routine, but I also love to go changing it once in a while.
I would love to participate more in Group Shows, with a concept that the curator can see my work involved with the idea of the show. I think the strength of the group shows sometime is even bigger than a Solo Show, because the art get stronger in an environment where it has a conversation with different type of art, but ‘same concept’ without trying to talk of the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/galocastrosanturio/works-exhibitions
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galocastr0/
