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Pipe obando | Artist at Mondoir

Pipe obando

Nationality: Colombian

Discipline: drawing

Based in: Neusiedl , AT

Biography

I began my creative journey studying graphic design in Colombia in 2007, where I first developed my visual language and artistic sensitivity. Years later, in 2013, I moved to Milan, Italy, to study automotive design. That experience had a strong impact on me—I discovered a deep passion for cars and strengthened my connection with drawing as a form of expression. Art has always been part of my life, but for a long time it remained in small, personal projects. In 2020, I started exploring illustration more seriously, experimenting with different techniques and styles. About three years ago, I decided to fully commit to drawing and began a more focused process of growth and exploration. This journey led me to charcoal, a medium with which I found a strong and natural connection. About a year and a half ago, I created my first pieces with a clearer artistic direction, which confirmed my desire to pursue art professionally. I have presented my work in two exhibitions: the first focused on masks and helmets, and the second inspired by the world of racing. In both, I combine my background in automotive design with my artistic approach, exploring themes such as identity, strength, and movement. Today, I continue developing my work with the goal of building a solid artistic career and expanding my creative voice.

Artist Statement

My work is rooted in a lifelong connection to drawing as a way of understanding and expressing the world around me. Coming from a background in graphic and automotive design, I am deeply influenced by form, structure, and movement—elements that naturally find their way into my artistic practice. Working primarily with charcoal, I am drawn to its rawness and honesty. The medium allows me to explore contrast, depth, and emotion in a direct and physical way. Each piece becomes a balance between control and spontaneity, where precision meets instinct. My subjects often revolve around helmets, masks, and elements from the racing world. These forms fascinate me not only for their design, but for what they represent: identity, protection, speed, and transformation. I see them as symbols that exist between the human and the mechanical—between what we show and what we hide. Through my work, I aim to capture energy and presence, creating images that feel both powerful and introspective. My process is also a personal journey—an exploration of discipline, passion, and the desire to turn something that has always been part of me into a way of life.

Exhibitions

• Solo Exhibition, Club U, Vienna, Austria (2025) • Solo Exhibition, Karl & Otto, Vienna, Austria (2026)

Awards

I am at an early stage in my artistic career and have not yet received formal awards or recognitions. However, my work is driven by a strong commitment to growth, and I am confident that continued dedication and development will lead to meaningful recognition in the near future.

Education

Education & Training • Graphic Design Studies, Colombia (2007) • Artistic Illustration Course (2008) • Color Technique Course (2008) • Automotive Design Studies, Milan, Italy (2013) • Motorcycle Mechanics Course – focused on understanding not only form, but also the internal structure and function behind machines • Charcoal and Ink Courses, Domestika In addition to my formal education, my artistic practice has been largely self-directed, developed through continuous experimentation, technical exploration, and a strong focus on drawing.

Artworks by Pipe obando