Christian Dalla is an accomplished painter and educator based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, born in 1981. With a strong academic background, he studied at the National University Institute of Art (IUNA), specializing in painting. His artistic education was further enriched by mentorship under notable artists such as Fabian Attila and Alejandro Arguelles. In addition to his painting pursuits, Dalla has dedicated himself to teaching art since 2015, sharing his passion and knowledge with aspiring artists.
Dalla’s artistic career has been marked by a pursuit of self-discovery through painting, which he describes as a deep exploration of his thoughts and emotions. He reflects on this by saying, “My creative process is dynamic, and the pursuits that drive me today respond to a need to pass each stage through the filter of personal demand: to push myself into territories that invite reflection, thought, enjoyment, and growth in relation to the image I am about to develop.” His work is characterized by an intimate dialogue with both himself and the world around him. Drawing inspiration from contemporary artists and the rich heritage of the great masters, Dalla captures the essence of everyday moments and infuses them with a personal touch. He aims for his art to resonate with viewers, encouraging them to see their own experiences reflected in his work.
Dalla elaborates on his creative journey: “What sparks in me the desire to begin a new pictorial exploration is rarely a fixed or premeditated idea, but rather an internal unease, something that may have been quietly present in my thoughts or that, without seeking it, suddenly emerges.” This spontaneity often leads to moments of visual discovery, where he might encounter a particular color combination that captivates him. “Let’s say I come across a certain color combination, and something in that harmony, in those tones, moves me. It awakens a deep impulse that draws me to immerse myself in that chromatic universe. The next painting, then, is born from that desire.”
His recent portfolio includes several notable works that demonstrate his range and skill. Dalla’s paintings have gained recognition, being featured in prestigious spaces such as the Palestinian Embassy in Argentina and the “Luna Grande” Gallery in Turkey. He has also achieved several accolades, including the first place in painting at the Buenos Aires Legislature and nominations in various national competitions.
In addition to his artistic ventures, Christian Dalla has authored a book titled Notes of a Painter – A Year in the Studio: Intimacies, Processes, and Reflections. This compelling compilation consists of his handwritten notes, thoughts, and pictorial reflections over the course of a year. The book offers a unique glimpse into his creative process and has been described as an intimate, visual, and narrative diary. It is now available for purchase on prominent platforms like Amazon and Kobo.
As of now, Dalla is actively teaching drawing and painting classes at his studio, fostering the next generation of artists. Alongside his teaching commitments, he is diligently working on new paintings, with the aspiration of holding an exhibition before the year’s end. This upcoming exhibition is highly anticipated and is expected to showcase his evolving artistic journey.
Reflecting on his approach, Dalla notes, “The human figure, the portraits, are elements that continue to interest me deeply, and to which I return with pleasure whenever I feel the need to reconnect with certain sensations. Once I enter the studio and prepare to begin a new work, two possible paths open up: either I take up an image already in mind, or I allow the search of the moment to guide me.”
In either case, he strives to envision how to translate what he wants to explore into the language of painting. “It is never a matter of literal reproduction. The images I use as references are only a starting point: I distort them, deconstruct them, remove or add elements. What I seek is to get closer to what I had imagined had already taken shape in my mind before I touched the surface.”
Christian Dalla remains a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene, continually contributing to the cultural landscape through his teaching, artistic exploration, and engaging written reflections.
Photo credits: The photograph is from the artist’s archive
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