Salgada (María Salgado Santana), originally from A Coruña, Galicia, currently lives and works between Denmark and Spain.
Her work explores how humans interact with the world, while also addressing contemporary issues like the climate crisis, feminism, and animal rights. She is constantly pushing her drawings and paintings beyond traditional formats, experimenting with new media, surfaces, and forms.
With a background in Product Design and Illustration, Salgada is interested in the space where two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements meet. She uses art as a way to express thoughts, emotions, and a deep appreciation for everyday life and common people.
For Salgada, art is both a refuge and a powerful means of communication.
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
“Wrestling”, Group Exhibition at Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark, April - May 2025
Solo Exhibition “Tránsitos”, Eurostars Hotel Grand Marina, Barcelona, February - March 2025
Workshop “Experimental Drawing” for Lama e Lume, October 2024
Workshop “Experimental Watercolor” for A Panda da Dá, Grupo Finsa, July 2024
Group Exhibition - Artisocial - Spinderhallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2024
Commissioned Live sketching for Vejle Kulturnaat, Vejle, Denmark 2023
Group Exhibition - Pap Paper festival - Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2023
Group Exhibition - Artisocial - Spinderhallerne, vejle, Denmark 2023
Group Exhibition - Tour de France - Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2022
Group Exhibition - Drawn In - Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark 2019
“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 and art installation, as part of Bravas Illustration collective, Casa Orlandai, Barcelona 2018
Group Exhibition - Galería Verdi Verd, Barcelona 2017