Water, 2018

Astor Milan Salcedo was born to Columbian parents in Madrid, Spain, in 1969. His Father was Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo, an Olympic athlete, journalist and war reporter, television presenter and latterly director of the ‘Ruta Quetzal,’ leading parties of youngsters on cultural exploration trips in the footsteps of Columbus in Hispanic America. Miguel Salcedo dabbled in photography, and taught the young Astor, who had a natural flare for it.

Astor Salcedo began his career in the nineties as a fashion and portrait photographer, and travelled the world as a documentary filmmaker. In 2004 he worked as a Creative Director in the world of fashion on commercials for Hugo Boss, Gucci and Swarovski. In 2009 he won the highest award in German television, Deutscher Fernsehpreis for his documentary ‘Die Bombe’.

Astor’s variety and depth of experience living in various cultures has taught him many techniques. His interdisciplinary talent frees him to express himself in numerous multi-media ways. By combining his eye for photography and other art media, Astor creates inventive and striking works of contemporary art, that lie somewhere between a collage and a painting. He does this by applying multiple layers of brightly coloured paint with a variety of tools such as brushes, squeegees, and even his bare hands. Through his work, Astor invites the viewer to experience and be involved in the picture, rather than just see it.

Salcedo’s insatiable curiosity for politics, society and the arts are the sources of his inspiration. Astor’s foremost topics are the vital interchange between mankind and nature, which he sees as an ever-present theme in our modern lives. Through his work, he also explores the human struggle to find happiness, which seems to be present in every culture, but is approached and defined in countless different ways. Whilst being contemplations on the Big Questions, Salcedo’s works embody his positive outlook on life, and allow the viewer to be bathed in idyllic scenes, layered with joyous colours.