Gleo - Nathalia Gallego

Artist Nathalia Gallego, better known in the artistic world as Gleo, is from Cali, Colombia, a small tropical city in the southwest of her country, nestled along the Colombian Pacific coast.

She describes herself as a bit clumsy in many aspects of her life but, in a self-taught manner, found a bit of order amidst the daily chaos through painting.

It all began when Gleo was 17 years old. At that time, she studied Chemistry during the day and pursued Fine Arts at an institute during the night. She pursued both careers simultaneously but later focused her studies on a Bachelor's in Visual Arts and Graphic Design at the Universidad del Valle. However, she found that the art studies did not fulfill her needs as they were full of theory without the real essence. This prompted her to paint a white wall in front of her house one day.

How did you transition from that immaculate white wall to what you paint on the streets today?

I've always been drawn to the streets, so I began painting sea creatures in my neighborhood for fun. But as time passed, several questions arose: Why do I paint fish? Why do it on the streets? Why large walls? Why public spaces? And precisely at that moment, I started to grasp the bigger picture. For me, the concept of public space holds a complex definition as a place that belongs to everyone, yet to no one. Hence, stepping onto the streets and participating stands as a protest against the concrete grid we labeled a "city"—an entity that shapes our interactions and governs our existence. Consequently, painting on the streets, in my view, becomes a form of political engagement.

Afterward, this mental deliberation led me to believe my speech should be more conscious. This has resulted in me painting mystical beings that invade cement structures, inviting others to remember that we are living creatures and part of a greater whole beyond the cities. Perhaps my thoughts may change in the future and inspire me differently, but for now, I find myself drawn to this subject.

What inspires you to create your work?

I've always been curious about antiquity, about the beginnings of time. This is why ancestral cultures and the primary arts of the world inspire me. They represent the initial manifestation of humanity's need to create meaning for our existence.

If you could choose one piece or project as your favorite, which would it be, and why?

All my projects are "my favorite." Each one has its own story, efforts, people who became friends, and more. But if I had to choose one, it would be the one I created in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2017. This artwork was a challenge I had anticipated for years, pushing me to the limits of my skills and taking me out of my comfort zone.

What techniques/programs do you use to create your work? And what artistic or graphic style do you typically embrace? 

I use acrylic outdoor vinyl, brushes, and rollers. I sketch and then create an irregular grid to help with proportions and drawing perspectives. Then, the fun begins with splatters, textures, and colors. I don't consider I stick to a specific artistic style, or at least I don't identify with any. I simply let myself be guided by the moment I'm painting.

I noticed that many of your pieces feature many attributes of certain indigenous cultures. Why is that?

As I mentioned before, I'm inspired by ancestral cultures worldwide. This doesn't necessarily mean that I'm painting indigenous cultures, but specific indigenous characteristics might be reflected in my works. However, that wasn't my intention. I'm interested in how symbols and cultures evolve and adapt to endure over time. In this sense, I'm intrigued by how popular culture results from this syncretism, and I believe this is why it might be associated with indigenous cultures.

What do you feel you still need to explore as an artist?

I think I still need to explore everything—shapes, colors, concepts, etc. Life won't be enough for the millions of things I want to do. At some point, I'd love to take classical painting classes to strengthen my technical shortcomings.

Do you think being a woman has held you back as an artist in street art?

I decided to take my paintings and hit the streets like the other guys. For a long time, I thought it was more challenging because, somehow, projects didn't believe in my ability. Now, I believe it was me doubting my capability. My real obstacle was myself, thinking I had to conform to a feminine archetype where my place wasn't the street and independence.

Regarding this topic, which I'm pretty passionate about, I have a very personal stance: I believe that a group of male artists has mostly executed street art because only some women have been interested in becoming a part of this art form. Now, I admire many female artists who are significant figures in this movement. Yet, talented women remain a minority, and many justify their presence by playing the role of being female models or minorities in specific projects.

It's not very practical to have many women painting anything, adopting an empty speech, and showcasing their physical attributes when the goal is to demonstrate that painting has no gender and we're just as talented as our male counterparts. In reality, the street art scene will experience change when more women stop commodifying and presenting themselves as part of a minority. Instead, they should focus on enhancing their artistic quality, just like the male artists.

What do you want your audience to think when they see your artwork?

I want them to think for themselves. If they love it or feel a connection, that's fantastic. On the contrary, if it makes them cringe and they hate it, that's also perfectly fine. The idea is that it evokes something in them. 

Why Gleo? Where did that pseudonym come from?

It's a word game from my surname: GALLEGO.