Born in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, in 1960, Santana is one the most valuable voices within the Spanish contemporary art scene. Ms. Santana's passion for art led her to look endlessly for Harmony and Beauty. This research has its starting point in the contemplation of nature. For this reason she fell in love with the island of Lanzarote, where she works and lives since many years. The island is, in fact, one of the recurring elements of her work. She likes to define her style as "Lyrical Abstraction": it is an art movement raised in Europe after the World War II in opposition not only to previous movements such as Cubism and Surrealism but also to geometric abstraction, which is considered too cold. The main theme developed by painters belonging to Lyrical Abstraction is the expression of individual and immediate emotions rather than the objective reality. From an artistic point of view, this is translated in a technique which privileges colors over shapes.

Among her most important works are "Azules Oceànicos", a wall painting representing water that reflects the myths of Narcissus, Dionysus and Charon, and "Arqueología del jardín", which involves recycling and eco-friendly sculptures made out of wood that she has collected. This new exhibition includes more than 65 pieces ranging from small circular images to the collection of paintings entitled "Paisaje Intimo": a life journey, personal as well as universal.

She used to say: "I find happiness when I am able to create an excellent work". This happiness can be seen in every painting, characterized by strong and vivid brush strokes.

Guests from both the private and public sectors were present at the opening, on June 10th, as well as artists from very different fields. It witnesses the considerable interest which surrounds this artist and rewards the Spanish Embassy's efforts in spreading among the international community some peculiar expression of the Spanish culture.

The exhibition gives the public the chance to see Santana's photographs until August, the 20th. It is open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Entrance is free. Address: Embassy of Spain, Lichtensteinallee 1, 10787 Berlin (entrance Thomas Dehler-Strasse).

• See more at: http://www.rufinasantana.com/
• Source: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/BERLIN/en/Noticias/pages/Articulos/20150616_NOT1.aspx

News from Berlin
Gloria De Rosa, Berlin Global