Art Madrid'26 – INTERVIEW WITH: SEÑORA D A.K.A LARA PADILLA

Sra. D, a.k.a Lara Padilla

The work of Sra. D, a.k.a Lara Padilla, encompasses disciplines such as painting, sculpture, dance, performance and fashion design. Her mostly figurative pieces draw attention to female power representation through the deformation of the body and the use of colour and textures. A vindication of gender exhibited through large hands as powerful instruments of battle or heavy feet, an image of the perseverance of women in their struggle. Sra D. understands art not as a silent showcase but as a path of political action and intervention. Her aesthetic is an ode to diversity, portraying all types of bodies to promote a look of equality and authenticity.

Her performances dialogue face to face with his pictorial and sculptural creation through the similarity between compositions and trajectories. The use of body painting underlines the plastic aspect of his choreographies, while in his urban actions, he insists on this reflection on the construction of identity conceived as belief. However, the female body is not a prison for Sra. D. In her latest creations she has expanded her visual discourse by exploring African and pre-Columbian art, cultural chapters of great social and conceptual significance such as Genesis or the interaction of bodies with new supports and textures.

Lara Padilla

Black Tetris Magnum, 2021

Mixed media on canvas

400 x 300cm

Interview:

What inspires you when creating?

It can be an emotion, an image or a word; inspiration can come from anywhere. It inspires me a lot to travel, take pictures, and know new cultures. I think my painting is very experiential and is almost like a diary.

What are you working on recently?

I'm still working on the "tetrix" series, which I think still has a universe to explore. And in parallel, I am working with various characters in different contexts and with everyday scenes telling other types of stories. I also continue to work with movement and dance.

Tell us about your creative process.

The first thing I address about my creative process is the background of the work. I create a very free colour atmosphere and work with pigments, collage and different techniques to create a fracture in the work. From there, I create the composition that I have in sketch or photography. The case of the "tretix" is ​​much more experimental; I create a character and what I do is play. I fit in all the others and conquer all the space.

Are you participating for the first time in the fair? What do you expect from Art Madrid?

About my participation, what I hope is to be able to show my work, which is what I am most passionate about, with great enthusiasm. Also, meet other artists, nourish me with all that creativity and enjoy the fair.

Lara Padilla

Purple Tetris, 2021

Mixed media on canvas

170 x 170cm

Currently, your artistic expression is not limited to a discipline or a medium. How is Sra. D (not Lara Padilla) projected in the next five years?

Sra. D is projected in the next five years as a more experienced and mature artist. What I really value is the work of every day; I think this is a life career. It's what I do, work every day in the studio. From here, I will always find myself, and I will not be the one to set limits for myself.

Your work is mainly figurative and representative. What do you find in figuration that doesn't give you abstraction?

My work is primarily figurative, although I also have some abstract pieces. But I am fascinated by the human body. I love to explore its limits. I create characters with impossible and disproportionate bodies, very expressive, proposing other models of being a man and a woman, and valuing diversity freedom. I also work with the body as supports on occasions, especially in street performance actions with performance and dance, and I use body painting to tell these stories.

Lara Padilla

Rainbow tangle, 2021

Mixed media on canvas

170 x 170cm

Sra.D, A.K.A Lara Padilla, participates in Art Madrid with the gallery from Barcelona 3 Punts Galeria, together with the artists Alejandro Monge, Gerard Mas, Kiko Miyares, Luis Feo, Rodrigo Romero, Santiago Picatoste and Ramon Surinyac.





Art Madrid’26 presents One Shot Collectors, a program sponsored by One Shot Hotels that returns to the fair -now in its sixth edition- with the goal of making contemporary art collecting more accessible and encouraging new and established collectors alike. The initiative is designed to support both art professionals and new audiences interested in starting or strengthening a collection by providing tools, knowledge, and specialized guidance.

One Shot Collectors promotes an informed and approachable way of acquiring artworks, understanding collecting as a process that requires discernment, context, and time. The program serves as a bridge between the public and the artworks presented at the fair, fostering a confident and well-informed relationship with the art market.



The program is directed by Ana Suárez Gisbert, an art advisor with extensive experience in the art market. Her background includes artwork valuation and appraisal, as well as personalized advisory services throughout the acquisition process, helping participants identify works that align with their interests, budget, and goals. Her approach combines technical rigor with a strong commitment to best practices and sustainability within the art ecosystem.

Art collecting goes beyond the purchase of a single work. It involves an intellectual, aesthetic, and personal journey that connects collectors with the artist’s context, discourse, and creative process. Building a collection means developing a personal point of view, making informed decisions, and allowing the collection to evolve coherently over time, guided by enjoyment and confidence in one’s own taste.

So how do we decide where to focus and how to move forward? Where do we begin? How does one purchase connect to the next? A successful acquisition comes from following personal interests, learning to recognize what truly resonates with us, and staying informed before and throughout the process.

During Art Madrid’26, One Shot Collectors offered a personalized advisory service tailored to different profiles: established collectors, individuals acquiring their first artwork, and companies interested in developing collections aligned with their values and brand identity. The program adapts to a wide range of needs and offers customized tours of the fair based on aesthetic, conceptual, and budget considerations.

Our Art Advisor prepares a curated selection of artworks according to each buyer’s criteria and provides support throughout the negotiation process, offering a professional and strategic perspective. In this way, collecting becomes an informed, coherent, and rewarding experience.

Beginning a collection may stem from a desire for knowledge and aesthetic, social, economic, or even corporate exploration. At Art Madrid, we encourage collecting among individuals and companies interested in patronage and investment. This initiative is aimed at both professionals and contemporary art enthusiasts who wish to start or continue building a collection. Art Madrid presents a wide variety of works across disciplines such as photography, painting, sculpture, and installation, spanning a broad range of price points.

Whether you are an experienced collector, a first-time buyer, or a company seeking to express its values through art, the One Shot Collectors program offers a comprehensive experience.


ABOUT ONE SHOT HOTELS. SPONSOR OF ART MADRID

One Shot Hotels is a collection of 14 boutique hotels set in some of the most desirable locations in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, San Sebastián, and Porto. In 2026, the brand will expand its presence with new openings in three additional destinations: Ibiza, Lisbon, and Bilbao. Each property embodies a strong commitment to design, creativity, and aesthetics, seamlessly weaving art and culture into every space.

More than places to stay, One Shot Hotels are destinations with soul. Every interior reflects artistic sensitivity and an uncompromising attention to detail, offering guests a memorable experience where comfort, style, and culture coexist effortlessly. A spirit of closeness, innovation, and a deep passion for the arts defines the brand’s identity and shapes the way it connects people with the creative essence of each city it inhabits.

Through initiatives such as One Shot Collectors, the hotel group brings art and culture closer to both guests and visitors, fostering meaningful connections between its hotel spaces and the creative pulse of each destination.


ABOUT ANA SUÁREZ GISBERT. PROGRAM ART ADVISOR

Ana Suárez Gisbert holds a law degree from Complutense University of Madrid, with a specialization in international law and the international trade of artworks. She is a certified art and antiques appraiser and court-appointed expert through Antonio de Nebrija University, and a partner at the art appraisal firm Art Value Project.

She has carried out appraisal work for major collections and insurance companies and has represented leading international publications in the fields of art and design, including Frieze, Frieze Masters, and Gagosian. She currently combines her work at the appraisal firm with an art and sustainability project for private companies and municipal institutions

The advisory service is part of Art Madrid’26 One Shot Collectors Program and is completely free for participants who register in advance. To receive personalized advice, please request more information at vip@art-madrid.com or register using the following form:





Patrocinador de ART MADRID'26

One Shot Hotels