We’re looking forward to introducing you to IGNACIO GANA . Check out our conversation below.
IGNACIO, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Nature always brings me joy, as does sports—especially when I can practice them outdoors. I love biking, mountain biking, surfing, hiking, and snowboarding. These are the things I truly enjoy. I also love stopping for a coffee, listening to good music, and taking time to grow and recharge. A great coffee paired with great music is always amazing for me—it inspires me deeply and brings me so much joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ignacio Gana, born in Santiago, Chile in 1976. After studying Architecture, I decided to dedicate myself fully to painting, supported by contracts with galleries in Chicago, New York, and Miami.
My sculptures are rooted in a figurative style, often exploring themes of sensuality, harmony, and elegance—always with a touch of humor and irony. These qualities have allowed me to build a solid and fast-growing career in the visual arts, eventually establishing myself as one of the leading contemporary Latin American sculptors. Over the years, I have exhibited my work in numerous international exhibitions, with many of my pieces becoming essential parts of major collections and museums.
Fascinated by the monumental scales of North American cities, I decided to settle in Miami, United States, with the goal of taking my art to the highest level—not only in scale but also in artistic value. Shortly after, I was recognized as one of the most influential artists in Miami’s art scene and was honored to be named the official artist of the Latin Grammy Awards. In 2020, I also received First Prize at the Beverly Hills Art Show in Los Angeles, California.
Today, my paintings and sculptures can be found in prestigious private collections and museums such as the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in California, Museo Ralli Marbella in Spain, and Museo Ralli in Santiago, Chile.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I like to say that I’m someone who has always stayed true to my purpose—my purpose of being an artist, of creating, of building, of bringing something into existence from nothing: an object, a sculpture, a work of art. Creation is what drives me, it’s my fascination.
When we’re young, society often tries to put us into boxes, to fit us into some preconceived social role, as if everyone should be the same. And honestly, those moments when everything felt opposite, when the words were “you can’t,” “you’ll never be,” “you won’t make it”—for me, those were actually the biggest sources of fuel. They pushed me, they made me realize that I had to dare to cross the river, to fight for my dream, to chase my purpose. That purpose is my essence, it’s what I love the most, and it’s the reason I’m here today.
For me, the word “no” has always been a powerful motivator. Instead of bringing me down or taking away my strength, it does the opposite—it gives me even more energy to stand up, fight, and believe in my dream and my purpose.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I believe art has always been my companion, my backpack, and my lifeline—always by my side. It has been the tool that has allowed me to navigate this vast ocean of life, and also the board on which I have surfed each of its waves. It is on that board that I have held on, believed, and fought, always waiting for the biggest wave.
For that reason, I feel that art has been this great lifeline, this unconditional support where I have taken refuge, where I have found answers and solutions. It is art that has brought me joy and, in many ways, has shaped me into the person I am today.
I am convinced that we are responsible for ourselves: for growing, for knowing ourselves, for respecting ourselves, and for living with coherence and integrity. Even though we are surrounded by people who can, in one way or another, affect us, in the end we are the true ones responsible for deciding how that environment influences us. We are responsible for building our own boundaries, for forging through awareness and knowledge the limits that allow us to face life.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest mistakes of the industry—especially social media, which has become the clearest example of what people believe they should follow—is the obsession with speed. Everything you see in publishing, television, advertising, it’s all about making things fast, faster, always rushing. And somehow, that has been made desirable.
For me, it’s the opposite. I love to walk slowly. I love to admire life. I love to pay attention to every detail, to everything. To me, life is about living slowly, enjoying every single moment of the day, taking time to notice the little details—the bright colors, the shapes, the movements, the situations unfolding around us.
Today, the industry, guided by technology and AI, keeps pushing the opposite: to live life fast. Through my work, I try to invite people to pause. A pause we all need—at least five minutes each day—just to dream, to reflect, to rethink life. We don’t need vacations only twice a year; what we really need is to live life with a renewed perspective.
Through my work, I encourage people to take this pause. It is an invitation—an invitation to dream, to travel inward, to stop and truly live, to enjoy life, because we only have one. That is my commitment: to create art that reminds us to pause, every single day.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I have always believed that it’s not as if I was born with a pen in my hand, but rather with another way of thinking—a different point of view about life, about society, about the world around me. Sometimes I feel that my life is different from others, because I am always searching for another path, a new road that will lead me to the next level, to a new destiny.
I often feel that I live in a parallel world, keeping a distance from the speed of the world we inhabit today. I try to live in my own world. I love, and carefully protect, the child within me. I take time to shelter him from outside influences, because it is easy to follow what everyone else does, or what people expect, or what the industry dictates. But from my point of view, I choose to believe in myself, in my work, in my own way of working. That is where I put all my effort every single day.
I was born to be an artist. That is my destiny, and I take care of it. I try to create every day; I try to think about art in every moment. I try to think differently, to ask more questions than to find answers. I love being an artist, because to be an artist is to be a complete person. And I will die as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ignaciogana.com
- Instagram: ignaciogana_sculptures
Image Credits
Ignacio Gana
