Collectors Art Prize recognizes outstanding achievements in contemporary art by celebrating the work of extraordinary artists whose practices are among the most innovative and influential of our time. 

Toti Cuesta

Toti Cuesta

Art is her way of exploring the big questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? Why am I here? Each painting reflects these inquiries and invites viewers to find their own answers.

The female figure is the soul of her work. The artist depicts her as a symbol of life, creativity, and resilience. She also serves as a bridge between the human and the divine, between our fragility and our strength. Through this figure, the artist reminds us that we are part of Mother Earth, connected to her beauty, and responsible for her care.

Her technique blends hyperrealism with dreamlike surrealism. She chooses watercolor for its unique ability to capture transparency and light in the most profound emotions. In her paintings, symbols appear, including trees, eyes, and animals such as leopards, zebras, and birds. These represent growth, vision, strength, and freedom. Each element allows viewers to bring their own story, making every painting an open dialogue.

For her, painting is an act of absolute surrender and profound love. When she paints, she disappears. The artwork guides her, as she knows what it is and the message it conveys. Her hands and eyes follow its direction in a magical process.

Her goal is to create beautiful images and open spaces for reflection, introspection, and connection. When viewers contemplate her art, she hopes they find a mirror that inspires them. She wants her work to encourage care for oneself, those around us, and the world we share. She believes art can heal, transform, and remind us of our immense capacity to evolve and create a more conscious, loving future.

Toti Cuesta is an award-winning Spanish artist whose journey from law and languages to art is one of self-discovery and liberation. Though intellectual pursuits defined her early career, she ultimately found her true calling in watercolor portraiture. Embracing art as more than a passion, Cuesta embarked on a path of introspection that allowed her to break free from the expectations others had set for her.

Her training as an Art Therapist underscores her belief in art’s transformative power, a central theme in her work. Toti’s pieces have garnered numerous international awards and have been exhibited globally, from New York to Venice, celebrating her distinct style that merges hyperrealism with symbolic surrealism.

Her work is centered around the female figure, which she uses as a metaphor for life, creativity, and resilience. Her portraits combine elements of nature and human emotion, portraying women as embodiments of Mother Earth, harmonizing the natural and urban landscapes within each piece.

Cuesta captures a deep emotional resonance that speaks to humanity’s role in nurturing a just and compassionate world through her integration of vibrant colors, symbolic elements, and a balance of warm and cool tones. This thematic focus highlights her dedication to exploring identity, environmental consciousness, and the strength of the human spirit.

https://www.toticuesta.com

"The new Earth emerging", 2024, 56 x 76 cm

"Upholding Life", 2024, 76 x 56 cm

"The creation", watercolor, 2024, 56 x 76 cm

"Let your voice be heard", watercolor, 2024, 56 x 76 cm

"Mother Earth", watercolor, 2022, 56 x 76 cm

"Inspiring muses", watercolor, 2024, 56 x 76 cm

"Classical building, Gran Via, Madrid", watercolor, 2023, 53 x 64 cm

"Achieve greatness", watercolor, 2024, 76 x 56 cm

"Crystal Palace, Madrid", watercolor, 2023, 56 x 76 cm

"I am mountain", watercolor, 2023, 56 x 76 cm

Ashley Gray

Ashley Gray

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Savas Deli