Belén Catalán (She/They)
Artist Statement
My practice explores identity, memory, existentialism, and the art of documentation through immersive environments. My work reflects deeply personal experiences and introspective explorations, offering nuanced perspectives on the human condition.
Originally from Costa Rica, I navigate between two distinct cultures, investigating both the dissonance and harmony of identity and how these experiences shape personal and collective narratives. This cultural duality serves as a central inspiration in my practice, driving a continual exploration of the complexities of human existence.
By intertwining personal history with ideas of space and self, my work challenges conventional perspectives and opens pathways to new ways of thinking. My installations invite audiences into intimate encounters that uncover overlooked dimensions of existence, encouraging reflection and dialogue. Through art, I seek to transform personal exploration into shared moments of discovery, bridging the gap between individual and collective human experience.
​Bio
​Belén Catalán is a Costa Rican-Canadian interdisciplinary artist based in Montréal, Québec. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Concordia University. Catalán’s practice bridges photography, video, real-time graphics, and creative direction, often engaging with themes of identity, memory, and the relationship between digital and physical environments. Her work has been exhibited in Montréal at venues such as FOFA Gallery, VAV Gallery, Art Matters Festival, and Lignes de Fuite, where she has also contributed as a curator and creative director. Catalán’s projects frequently merge personal and cultural narratives, reflecting her bicultural background and interest in how individual experience informs collective perception.
Education
Concordia University | 2025
-
Photography (BFA)​
Professional Experience
Lignes de Fuite | 2023–2025
-
Creative Direction Intern & Runway Photographer
-
Led visual campaigns, event coordination, and documentation
Le Répertoire | 2025
-
Production Assistant Intern
-
Supported event coordination and production logistics.
FAT | 2025
-
Runway Photographer
MAD Festival | 2023-2025
-
Event Photography
Good Shows Montreal | 2023
-
Concert Photographer
System Canada | 2023​
-
Model Portfolio Photographer
​
Exhibitions
Red Car Exhibition (ARTAIR) | 2025
-
Exhibition Curator
-
Creative Director​
​
Art Matters Festival | 2025
-
Artist Talk: Memories of Dreamed Spaces
-
Exhibiting Artist: Blurring the Border (Sueño Tropical Video Installation & Renders, 2024)
Cicatriz — VAV Gallery | 2024
-
Exhibition Curator
-
Exhibiting Artist (Dream Paradise 2024)
-
Event Photographer
-
Creative Director
​
FOFA Gallery | 2023
-
Exhibiting Artist: An Anatomy Of Apocalyptic Care (Te Odiamos Patriarcado)
​
Commensality: The Dinner Party | 2023
​​
-
Exhibition Curator
-
Exhibiting Artist (Needles, Bread, and Fruit Bowl)