Cristián Silva-Avária

Cristián Silva-Avária

Visual artist, photographer, and videomaker. He was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1975, where he currently lives and works. He holds a Master’s degree in Theory and Experimentation in Art from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from the University of Chile.

He has held several solo exhibitions, including: Otras Actividades, Sala Leve, Santiago de Chile (2021); Intervalo Incierto, Galería Mutt, Santiago de Chile (2015); Mind the Gap, Galería Laura Marsiaj, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2014); Observaciones Transitorias, Homesession Art Space, Barcelona, Spain (2013); Borderline, Galería Patricia Ready, Santiago de Chile (2012); Summertime, Kunsthaus Rhenania, Cologne, Germany (2012); The Reverso Project, Part II, Galería Laura Marsiaj, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2011); Pintura Abstracta Chilena, Espacio L390, Santiago de Chile (2010); The Reverso Project, Galería Moro, Santiago (2009); Punto Medio, VVV Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008); Match Point Project, Galería Animal, Santiago (2007). He has participated in over 50 group exhibitions, including biennials, festivals, art gatherings, and international fairs. In 2013, he took part in the 55th Venice Biennale in a collaborative project with renowned artist Harun Farocki and curator Antje Ehmann.

He has received various grants and has been nominated for awards such as: the PIPA-MAM Prize (Prêmio Investidor Profissional de Arte in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2014); CNPq Grant, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2012–2013); Arte+ Grant, Arte+ Corporation, Santiago de Chile (2011); Best Photography Exhibition Award 2009, Art Critics Circle in Chile, Santiago (2009); First Prize, 21st Century Artists, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Canal 13 TV, Santiago (2008); and he has been awarded the Fondart Grant on four occasions (2013, 2006, 2003, and 1999).

His work can be found in various collections, including: Fondation d’entreprise Hermès, Paris, France; MAR Collection (Museu de Arte do Rio), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Figueiredo Ferraz, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Fundación Engel, Santiago de Chile; CCU Collection, Santiago de Chile; Artistic Heritage Collection of PUC, Santiago de Chile; Council for Culture and the Arts Collection, Government of Chile, Santiago; Galería Gabriela Mistral Collection, CNCA, Santiago de Chile; and in numerous private collections in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Spain, the USA, Germany, and France.

In addition, he has been involved in teaching since 2003 and is currently an associate professor at Diego Portales University in Santiago, where he conducts courses, workshops, and seminars. In the same field, he also teaches the Thesis Workshop in the Master’s Program in Image Research-Creation at Finis Terrae University, also in Santiago, Chile.