Visual Artist and Cultural Managment Statement

I am Liliana Abaunza Chagin, a visual artist and cultural manager. Originally from Colombia, Iinherit my identity from a mixture of lineages that include Lebanese, Spanish Basque, and Dutch roots. I grew up in two wonderful worlds: science and culture. Science has been a constant  presence in my family due to the professional guidance of my parents, while culture has been instilled in me since early childhood. They were always aware that growing up in a cultural environment makes us better individuals. Although my initial artistic inclinations leaned towards dance and music, I decided to formally study visual arts, followed by studies in cinematography and visual arts.
After completing my second professional degree and practicing for several years, I realized the great importance, not only for artists but for society as a whole, of cultural management. I initiated this career not only in academia but also inpractice. As an artist, I work with elements from nature and the human body, drawing inspiration from science and occasionally incorporating technological mediums. I have explored techniques ranging from drawing, which I consider the foundation of all arts, to video, sound, various installations, and performance, considering them as means rather than ends, just like technology, which I frequently incorporate.

I constantly believe and live the magic of the artwork, which lies in capturing a time and a moment in something eternalized. I believe that cultural management plays a crucial role in society, significantly contributing to the enrichment of individuals. Cultural managers create environments that stimulate creativity and innovation. By supporting artists and creators, we foster the generation of new ideas, forms of expression, and approaches, enriching cultural life and contributing to social progress.
Art and cultural management, although distinct professions, are interconnected, serving as powerful tools to provide a unique vision of the nature and complexity of all human processes and the universe itself. I value the importance of observation, experimentation, and practice, considering academia to play a fundamental role in professional practice.
I approach life with the perpetual curiosity of a child, marveling at wonders, as the curiosity of knowledge makes us eternal students in the face of life and its
processes.

The active presence of culture in society not only stimulates the mind but also the soul, providing knowledge, elevating the spirit, and shaping us into better human beings.

Biography

My professional studies in visual arts include set design for film at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, Fine Arts at the University of the Andes, and the Art Institute of Chicago. I furthered my education with a specialization in management and cultural administration at the University of Rosario and a Master in Artistic Production in Cultural Management at the University of Barcelona. Currently, I am a doctoral candidate in the Heritage, Culture, and Society Program at the same university.
As an artist since 1983, I have exhibited both collectively and individually in Colombia, the USA, and Europe, including Italy and Belgium. My artistic journey encompasses drawing, painting, photography, video-performance, and sound objects.
In the realm of cultural management, I have been actively involved since 1998, working in cultural centers within private and mixed institutions. My efforts have focused on consolidating artistic content, maintaining ongoing programming, building an audience base, initiating projects, co-creating spaces, and forming strategic alliances with cultural entities. This has led to the establishment of artistic production lines not only in the visual arts but also in music, cinema, literature, and cultural management. With a strong emphasis on inclusion, I have instituted programs and systems for creative education in art and culture. My role as an educator spans teaching in visual arts and cultural management, with a focus on artistic production. Additionally, I serve as a thesis director at the university level.
I have served as a judge for competitions and calls both nationally and internationally in film and visual arts, participating in festivals, museums, and universities. Currently, I am dedicated to further developing my artistic work while engaging in art consultancy commitments, serving as a judge, and contributing writings on art and culture in the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, and Sweden.
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