Santiago Medina Llévano or Mateo, was born in Bogotá in 1979. Since he was a child art has been one of his great passions, so it was no causality that his destiny has always been to be surrounded by art and incorporated into his official future. Thanks to his parents he formed the basic techniques by learning from the best like Layo Rodriguez and Villareal who at different times and spaces transformed Mateo´s thoughts and experiences.
For some time, he has combined his art skills with that of sales of the pieces; a profound relation for an artist to understand especially when in negotiation with modern personalities of the Colombian art scene. More recently in Villa de Leyva, Mateo has appropriated enough space to install his own art gallery in a colonial patio visited and admired by many in the historic center. He is constantly creating in front of the expectant public. Mateo realizes that his actions as an artist surprise and authenticate admiration from his observers.
When one looks at Mateo´s work he draws influence from Pollock, Kandinsky and Miró also said to be his favorite artists. There are three elements prevailing in his art, the line that is drawn fast, drawing continually the forms and elements that appear complete, and most of the color in the foreground. This can be seen in the fish and fresh vegetation of the forest and pastures. Many times, this is drawn with a dancing line in the background and other times the colors of the object intervene to complement the form and spaces around the line without losing any aesthetic appeal. Mateo has bordered with abstract in some pieces where the figure is simply used to differentiate from the play on light. The form is a concept of playful geometry in recognition of cubism with deformed conventions of space to show a vibrant imagination.
Mateo´s work is hard to miss. He recreates and reconverts the viewers attention at the same time defeating the melancholy and sadness by complementing every negative gesture with sincerity changing your viewpoint into something happy. The force and mutual intellectual ingenuity of the elements show the characteristic of his spirit. The work can be considered post-modern.
He paints with petrol for various reasons that also help the community. The acrylic and resins bring out his texture and brilliance. He paints it very thick to bring out more depth and it strengthens his lines. His signature is also painted in the think paint. Mateo likes to paint barracudas after his trip to San Andres and contacting with a marine biologist. His latest collection is full of fish and under the sea views. The colors seem to bring out the deep and rich colors found under the ocean. The size of his pieces is dramatic to capture the real-life size of the barracudas.
In the past he has had different styles and techniques some including spiritual realism and experimental pieces with the transformation of the paint over time. He works fast and deliberately with nothing holding him back. The paintings are outstanding in the way they reveal the sense of awe Mateo feels for nature and his surroundings. The paintings seem welcoming and pleasant and they encourage you to touch them for their texture. The force that brings you into the paintings is friendly and inspiring. Mateo is the same with his personality and he expresses himself to the fullest in his paintings.
Meteo has had expositions every year from 2010 till 2013 and beyond till moving into his own establishment in Villa de Leyva. It is there that he can open his door and wow people as they pass by, inviting them in to share a moment of candid enthusiasm.