Photography by Ana Paixão

Salgada (Maria Salgado Santana) is a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, and product designer from Galicia, Spain, currently residing and working between Denmark and Spain.

Salgada's work delves deeply into human interactions with the world, exploring themes of current importance such as the climate crisis, feminism, and animal rights. Her sculptural pieces draw inspiration from nature, collaborating with its elements to bring her creations to life.

Salgada's practice is marked by a passion for experimentation across various media, both in personal projects and commissioned works. She chooses materials based on an intrinsic drive to create, often opting for those readily available in daily life.

For a glimpse into her everyday studio life, follow her Instagram page.

Career

• Born in 1991 in A Coruña

• Graduated in Industrial and Product Design by Universidade da Coruña, 2013

• Product and interaction designer at SEAT Design Center, Barcelona, Spain, 2013- 2015

• Toy Designer at Magic Box Toys Int., Barcelona, Spain, 2015- 2018

• Masters in Creative Illustration at BAU, University Center of Arts and Design, Barcelona, 2017- 18

• Senior Designer at The LEGO Group, 2019- 2024

• Resident at Art zone in Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2021-2024

• Freelance illustrator and artist, 2018- current

• Founder of Espazo Salgado, painting studio & gallery space in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, 2024- current

Exhibitions and workshops

Group Exhibition - Galería Verdi Verd, Barcelona 2017

Group Exhibition and art installation, as part of Bravas Illustration collective, Casa Orlandai, Barcelona 2018

“Reactive Minds” workshop facilitation and installation in collaboration with Col.lec and Bravas Illustration
In the context of the festival Out Of Metrics. Mazda Space, Barcelona 2018.

Group Exhibition and workshop facilitation, as part of Bravas Illustration collective- Espai Jove Casa Sagnier, Barcelona 2018

Group Exhibition - Drawn In - Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2019

Group Exhibition - Tour de France - Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2022

Group Exhibition - Artisocial - Spinderhallerne, vejle, Denmark 2023

Group Exhibition - Pap Paper festival - Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2023

Commissioned Live sketching for Vejle Kulturnaat, Vejle, Denmark 2023

Group Exhibition - Artisocial - Spinderhallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2024

Workshop “Experimental Watercolor” for A Panda da Dá, Grupo Finsa, July 2024

Workshop “Experimental Drawing” for Lama e Lume, October 2024