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PROFESSIONAL PROFILE 

 

Contemporary art professional with over twenty-five years of experience in artistic creation, cultural management, photography, and design applied to art.

My career spans international exhibitions as a visual artist, restoration work, photography and graphic design for cultural institutions, as well as the development and coordination of interdisciplinary projects.

Passionate about art in all its forms of expression, I combine creativity, aesthetic sensitivity, curiosity, commitment, and a global perspective on the artistic sector.

 

 

VISUAL ARTIST | 1997 – Present

 

Multiple exhibitions – over seventy in total, including fourteen solo exhibitions – held in galleries and museums across Spain, Germany, Italy, and France.

Represented by galleries such as 100 kubik Art Gallery [Cologne, Germany], Astarté Art Gallery [Madrid], and Encant Art Gallery [Menorca, Spain].

Participation in international contemporary art fairs including art karlsruhe [Rheinstetten, Germany], C.A.R. Contemporary Art Ruhr [Essen, Germany], Arte Lisboa [Portugal], ARCO [Madrid], Art Madrid [Madrid], ArteSantander [Santander, Spain], Foro Sur [Cáceres, Spain], and Valencia Art [Valencia, Spain].

International recognition and awards including the Prize from the UPV University of the Basque Country, Spain [1996] and Second Prize at the Thibierge & Comar Awards, Paris [2004].

 

Full details – Olga Simón · Artistic CV + info

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN CONTEMPORARY ART AND CULTURAL MANAGEMENT

 

GALLERIST

 

Director of Joan Gaspar Art Gallery Madrid | 2014

Director of Joan Gaspar Art Gallery Madrid — working in close collaboration with the main gallery in Barcelona and its director, Joan Gaspar i Farreras.

Oversaw exhibitions, installation, artwork management, and personalised visitor engagement. Organised guided tours and media outreach.

Exhibitions featuring works by Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Francisco de Goya, Eduardo Chillida, Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, Etienne Krähenbühl, Jaume Plensa, and Enrique Brinkman, among others.

 

Associate Director and Head of Visual Identity at Astarté Art Gallery, Madrid | 2007 – 2009

Work in close collaboration with Marisa Fernández-Cid – Director of Astarté Art Gallery – on overall gallery management, curatorial planning and artist selection, exhibition conception and installation, artwork management, personalised visitor engagement, guided tour organisation, graphic design for catalogues and invitations, and media outreach.

Participation in international contemporary art fairs including Arte Lisboa [Portugal], ArteSantander [Santander, Spain], Foro Sur [Cáceres, Spain], and Valencia Art [Valencia, Spain].

Organisation of exhibitions featuring artists such as Gilbert Garcin, David Jiménez, Antía Moure, and Ricard Chiang, as well as those represented by the gallery.

David Jiménez’s exhibition ‘Lo que queda’, organised at the gallery, was awarded the 2008 Kaulak Award [Villa de Madrid Awards] by the Community of Madrid for Best Exhibition of the Year.

 

Gallery Assistant at International Contemporary Art Fairs  | 2008 – 2016

Collaboration with various galleries in assistance and representation roles at international contemporary art fairs, including:

ARCO International Contemporary Art Fair of Madrid | Adora Calvo Art Gallery [Salamanca, Spain]

Arte Lisboa Feira de Arte Contemporânea | Contemporary Art Fair [Lisbon, Portugal] | Astarté Art Gallery Madrid [several editions]

Art Madrid Contemporary Art Fair [Madrid] | 100 kubik – raum für spanische kunst Art Gallery [Cologne, Germany]

ArteSantander International Contemporary Art Fair [Santander, Spain] | Astarté Art Gallery [Madrid]

Foro Sur Ibero-American Contemporary Art Fair [Cáceres, Spain] | Astarté Art Gallery [Madrid]

Valencia Art Contemporary Art Fair [Valencia, Spain] | Astarté Art Gallery [Madrid]

 

CURATION AND CULTURAL MANAGEMENT

 

Organiser and speaker at the international congress for young artists, LabArt: Living, Thinking, Making [Madrid] | 2025

Upcoming – scheduled from 31 August to 4 September 2025

Member of the organising team and speaker on creative processes, thought, and contemporary artistic practice. Potential coordination of a group of participating artists.  [1]

 

Director of the 1st ‘Water’ Photography Award, Mondariz Balneario Spa Foundation [Pontevedra, Spain] | 2006

Development, conceptualisation, and direction of the first edition of the ‘Water’ Photography Award, organised by the Mondariz Balneario Spa Foundation in collaboration with Antonio Freire Magariños, Medical Director at Mondariz Spa.

Chairing of the jury, selection of participating artists, curation of the exhibition, and organisation of the photography events held as part of the award programme.

Oversight of the award’s visual identity, including concept development and graphic design of the catalogue.

 

Co-creator and Artistic Curator specialising in visual aesthetics for the 2nd and 3rd Salida de Emergencia Photography Fair [Madrid] | 2010 – 2011

Co-creation and design of the fair in collaboration with Madphoto Photography School and Lucila Toledo.

Artistic curation led by Carlos Arrogante, Olga Simón, and Madphoto Photography School, with responsibilities including jury membership, artist selection, portfolio reviews, and support and guidance to artists in the production of their work and the conception of their exhibition stands at the fair.

 

Co-creator and coordinator of the symposium on ‘Contemporary Photographic Production’ at the 2nd Salida de Emergencia Photography Fair [Madrid] | 2010

Co-creation and co-direction of the symposium in collaboration with Lucila Toledo.

Responsible for the selection, coordination, and management of expert speakers recognised in the field of contemporary photography.

 

Expert juror in visual arts, artistic practice, and photography | 2004 – 2016

Participation as an expert juror in over twenty competitions at universities and private institutions, including:

• Universidad San Pablo CEU [Madrid] — annual participation

• Pontifical University of Comillas [Madrid] — annual participation

• MadPhoto Photography School [Madrid] — several editions

• Salida de Emergencia Photography Fair [Madrid] — several editions

• 1st ‘Water’ Photography Award, Mondariz Balneario Spa Foundation [Pontevedra, Spain]

 

Coordinator of the photographic archive Fototeca 9 x 12 [Madrid] | 2000 – 2001

In charge of the management and organisation of the photographic archive Fototeca 9 x 12, a company specialising in large-format photographic images for travel and visual culture magazines, including Viajes National Geographic. Work in close collaboration with Xosé Blas, Director of the Madrid office.

 

GRAPHIC DESIGN

 

Graphic design for artistic and cultural institutions | 2006 – Present

Creation of over one hundred art catalogues, brochures, invitations, and publication covers for institutions in the artistic and cultural sector, including: the Spanish Ministry of Culture, UNED National University of Distance Education [Spain], San Pablo CEU University [Madrid], 100 kubik – raum für spanische kunst Art Gallery [Cologne, Germany], Astarté Art Gallery [Madrid], and De-Autor Art Gallery [San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid].  [1]

Conception and design of the visual identity for numerous international conferences organised by UNED.

 

CO-FUNDER FOTODOS

 

Co-funder Fotodos [Madrid] | 1999 – 2006

Head of the creative department and photographer.

Visual communication for over one hundred clients, including: SECC Sociedad Estatal de Conmemoraciones Culturales [State‑run Enterprise for Cultural Commemorations, Spain], Filmoteca Española [Madrid], Duke University [USA], San Pablo CEU University [Madrid], Grupo Bassat Ogilvy [Madrid], Telefónica [Madrid], Yelmo Cineplex [Madrid], Canal+ [Spain], the National Music Auditorium of Madrid, and Marlborough Gallery [Madrid].

 

CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION

 

Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage and artworks | 1994 – 1998

Specialisation in sculpture, altarpieces, and mural painting in the Basque Country and Castile and León, notably the discovery of the mural paintings in the Church of San Pedro de Murueta [Orozko, Basque Country] .

1994 – 1997 | Member of the conservation and restoration team led by José María Urquizu [Basque Country, Spain]

1997 – 1998 | Coordination of an independent conservation and restoration team [Castile and León, Spain]

 

 

TEACHING AND OUTREACH

 

CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY LECTURER

 

Lecturer in image, art, creative practice, contemporary photography, and personal projects  | 2006 – 2014

• ICADE and ICAI, Comillas Pontifical University [Madrid]
• Blasco 19 School of Photography [Madrid]
• Madphoto School of Photography [Madrid]

Invited artist on multiple occasions to deliver lectures and classes at the Faculty of Information Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid UCM | From 2000 to 2021

 

LECTURES AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS

 

2025 

Lecture ‘Artista y Mujer’ [Artist and Woman]. XII International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain

2023  

Lecture ‘Empty House | Casa vacía’ [Empty House]. XI International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain

2021  

Lecture ‘El cuento que no nos contaron’ [The Tale We Were Never Told]. X International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain

Lecture ‘Intangibles’ [Intangibles]. Faculty of Information Sciences. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain

2016  

Panel discussion ‘Ocho años de historia del Seminario Permanente sobre Literatura y Mujer’ [Eight Years of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women]. VIII International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain

Guided tour of the exhibition going through… / atravesando… Las Cigarreras Contemporary Culture. Alicante, Spain

Lecture ‘Una forma de estar en el mundo’ [A Way of Being in the World]. Faculty of Information Sciences. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain

2015

Panel discussion ‘La Creatividad. Prácticas Artísticas Contemporáneas’ [Creativity. Contemporary Artistic Practices]. Master’s in Advanced Studies of Spanish Art. Faculty of Geography and History. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain  [1] [2] [3] [4]

2014

Lecture ‘Demasiado ellas para…’ [Too Much Woman for…]. VII International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain

2013

Lecture ‘Cuestionar. Generar interrogantes. Un paseo por sugerentes propuestas del arte contemporáneo’ [Questioning. Raising Questions. A Journey Through Thought-Provoking Contemporary Art Proposals]. VI International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain

2012

Talk ‘Intangibles’ [Intangibles] EnContexto 2012 Encuentros para la Reflexión de la Fotografía en España [Encounters for Reflection on Photography in Spain]. La Casa Encendida. Madrid, Spain

2011

Panel discussion ‘Una habitación propia: visibilidad de la mujer en el arte’ [A Room of One’s Own: Visibility of Women in Art]. Faculty of Fine Arts. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. IV International Colloquium of the Permanent Seminar on Literature and Women. National University of Distance Education [UNED]. Madrid, Spain  [1]

2006

Lecture ‘Agua en la fotografía’ [Water in Photography]. Photography Symposium. I AGUA Photography Competition. Mondariz Balneario Foundation. Pontevedra, Spain

Lecture ‘Olga Simón. En primera persona: la autobiografía’ [Olga Simón. In the First Person: Autobiography]. Canal Abierto 2006. Forum XIII Image Studies Conference of the Community of Madrid. Canal de Isabel II. Madrid, Spain

2005

Lecture ‘La fotografía como arte’ [Photography as Art]. IX Xavier Pousa Landscape Grants. Mondariz Balneario Foundation. Pontevedra, Spain

2003

Lecture ‘Fotografía y espejo’ [Photography and Mirror]. Symposium Women in the Field of Contemporary Artistic Creation and Communication. Faculty of Information Sciences. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain

2000

Lecture ‘Fotografía narcisista: una vía hacia la introspección’ [Narcissistic Photography: A Path to Introspection]. Symposium Women in the Field of Contemporary Artistic Creation and Communication. Faculty of Information Sciences. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain 

Lecture ‘El número siete. La fotografía subjetiva’ [The Number Seven. Subjective Photography]. Encuentros ‘El otro en el espejo. La identidad cuestionada por la fotografía artística’ [The Other in the Mirror. Identity Questioned by Artistic Photography. Encounters]. Pilar Miró Cultural Center. Arganda del Rey Madrid, España

 

CULTURAL WRITING

 

Articles on art, photography, and visual culture | 1997 – 2006

Published in a variety of specialised magazines, including:

• Universo Fotográfico, journal of Complutense University of Madrid UCM

• DSLR Magazine, under the direction of Valentín Sama

• AnigpTV, National Association of Press and TV Photojournalists, chaired by Diego Caballo

• Fotofutura.com, the first digital magazine dedicated to photography, edited by Manuel Santos — over thirty articles on contemporary photography exhibitions

 

EXHIBITION GUIDING

 

Guide for contemporary art exhibitions | 1997 – 2016

Notably the guided tours of the photographic exhibition by Duane Michals at the MNCARS Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía during the inaugural edition of the International Festival of Photography and Visual Arts PhotoEspaña 98, as well as the contemporary art exhibition Gure Artea 97 at Sala Rekalde, Bilbao.

Numerous guided tours at Astarté Art Gallery, Joan Gaspar Art Gallery, and at contemporary art fairs including ARCO, Art Madrid, ArteSantander, Valencia Art, and Foro Sur, as well as guided tours of my own exhibitions.

 

 

EDUCATION

 

2007

Honorary Collaboration with the Department of Photography, Faculty of Fine Arts. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain

2005

International Master’s in Contemporary Photography and Personal Projects | Author Photography. EFTI Escuela de Fotografía Centro de Imagen [School of Photography and Center of Image]. Madrid, Spain

2004

Diploma of Advanced Studies [DEA] | Research Narcissistic Photography: A Path Towards Introspection. Complutense University of Madrid [UCM]. Madrid, Spain

1997

Degree in Fine Arts | Specialization in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and Works of Art [5-year program, Master’s level equivalent]. University of the Basque Country [UPV]. Bilbao, Spain

1997 to 2005

More than thirty workshops with renowned artists such as Duane Michals, Ouka Lele and Chema Madoz, among others

 

 

 

Olga Simón · Bio  + info

 

Olga Simón · Artistic CV  + info

 

 

 

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