Fernanda Cataldo is a Chilean figurative painter whose work occupies an intriguing space between abstraction and representation. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, she builds her compositions through multiple layers of paint, drawing on a wide range of tools and mediums from traditional pencils to spray acrylics. Her process is deliberately unconventional, mixing techniques to the
point where the method of making becomes impossible to identify, allowing the surface itself to hold the mystery. Viewed up close, her paintings read as abstract marks and layered texture; stepping back, the subject gradually reveals itself.
Named Chilean Artist of the Year in 2022, Cataldo has exhibited internationally, including at Art Revolution Taipei and art fairs in Santiago. Her work has been featured in Saatchi Art's printed catalogue and is held in private collections worldwide.
Cataldo grew up in Santiago, Chile, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of the country's south as well as from everyday moments, nature, and the Impressionist tradition. Her influences span Peter Doig, Adrian Ghenie, and Alexey Kanevsky. She graduated in Architecture from the Universidad de Chile in 2008 and is today a full-time painter based in Chile.
