For two weeks, seven specially selected Chilean and Chilean-British artists will exhibit their works at Somers Gallery, London.

As the contribution of Chilean artists continues to stand out on the contemporary art scene, this intimate exhibition, with its diverse selection of artists, offers the public an excellent opportunity to experience works inspired by both Chile and the UK, from within and outside the country.

An exhibition of Chilean art in London

The exhibition has been curated by British art critic and writer Tabish Khan, who selected the artists following an open call to all Chilean visual artists living and working in the UK. The exhibition, titled The Rest Has All Been Dreams, will be on display at Somers Gallery in London from Friday, March 28 until Monday, April 7, 2025.

The seven finalists, who work in a variety of disciplines, from photography, installation, painting, chlorophyll printmaking, digital drawing, sculpture and video, have been revealed today.

The artists

Barbara Oettinger (Digital photography AND digital drawing. Based in Brighton): Barbara challenges conventional conceptions of borders through her work, exploring geography, identity and the power dynamics that shape our perception of space.

Carola Ureta Marín (Photography; based in London): Examines isolation, memory and nature in her photographic series, using real moss collected in London to create miniature landscapes that evoke both the UK and Chile.

Luciana Solar Guzman (Installation, chlorophyll print; based in Oxford): Luciana creates photographic prints on plant leaves, reflecting on the loss of indigenous knowledge and the deep connection between humans and nature.

Otto Schade (Painting. London based): Otto fuses architecture with contemporary urban art, using surrealist imagery, freehand spray paint and his signature ribbon style to explore social issues.

Sachiyo Nishimura (Photomontage. Based in London): Sachiyo reimagines landscapes that could belong anywhere and nowhere, assembling photographic fragments of familiar urban elements found in different cities.

Tere Chad (Video and sculpture. Based in London): Tere explores personal memory, uprootedness and the natural world through video and sculpture, intertwining narrative and magical realism in her artistic practice.

Ume Dahlia (Painting, sculpture and installation. Based in London): Ume investigates the intersection between language, memory and territory, focusing on issues of trauma, gender and cultural identity. Her art transforms personal experiences into symbols of resilience.

The concept of distance and territory in art

Artists have been invited to respond to the idea of "Distance and Territory". The works on display will offer a unique insight into Chile and the UK from the perspective of those who comprise both territories. The exhibition investigates the emotions and reactions that arise from living in another country, from isolation to a sense of community, presenting a fascinating analysis of the parallels and differences between the two nations, expressed through visual art.

Whether exploring Chile's diverse geographic landscape - with its mountainous regions, glaciers and deserts - or the political notions and limitations imposed by physical borders, the exhibition promises an exciting and informative look at Chilean and Chilean-British identity.

From the climate crisis to the sensory experiences between the body and the earth, the exhibition will challenge the viewer to examine their own relationship with their environment.

A space for Latin American art in London

The exhibition is presented at Somers Gallery, a space dedicated to showcasing dynamic programming, including artists from Latin America and the UK. Founded in 2015, the gallery has been promoting a new generation of artists on the British art scene for nearly a decade under the direction of Javier Calderón.

The title of the exhibition refers to one of Chile's most famous artists, the poet and diplomat Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957). The first Latin American author to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, the title is taken from the poem "El Regreso" (The Return), which is part of her collection of poems Lagar (1954). The exhibition pays tribute to this key figure in Chilean cultural history, whose work
transcended the frontiers of art and diplomacy.

The call and exhibition are part of the ongoing work of the Chilean Visual Arts Group (CVAG), with the support of the Chilean Embassy in the UK and ProChile's London office. CVAG was formed in the aftermath of the pandemic and brings together Chilean and Chilean-British visual artists living in the UK, fostering collaboration and connection with the international creative sector.

Tabish Khan, curator, commented: "The human story is one of migration, relocation and cultural mixing. These artists explore connections and contrasts between Chile and the UK, whether through nature, urban architecture, heritage or borders. I have always loved how art brings people and ideas together, and this exhibition beautifully reflects that spirit of diversity and exchange."