Taxio Ardanaz

In a context of pessimistic narratives and dystopian experiences, the artist proposes through his project, BANNER, that we look to those who, in spite of everything, continue to create and struggle. The project is structured as an artistic research and experiment revolving around the banner, understood as a graphic device capable of conveying the demands of social movements since the early 20th century Despite the ongoing process of digitalisation and the dominance of social media, the banner is still alive and well on our streets, inviting us to engage, both individually and collectively, with an image, a desire and, above all, with transformative action. During his residency at Matadero, Taxio will research the various ways in which Madrid’s social and neighbourhood movements have used this device from the 1970s to the present day, proposing a reflection on the production of images and their emancipatory power in contexts of conflict.

Biography

The practice of Taxio Ardanaz (Pamplona, 1978) explores the tensions that arise between ideology, representation and memory. Through painting, installation, and photography, he examines the remnants of failed political projects and other forms of collective resistance. He has worked in contexts permeated by conflict, and has completed residencies in countries such as Iraqi Kurdistan, Cuba, China, and Mexico. Grounded in historical research and inherited imaginaries, through his practice he constructs a visual essay situated on the fringes of official historiography. His work has been exhibited at institutions such as Tabacalera Promoción del Arte (Madrid), the Museum of Navarra, the Academy of Spain in Rome, the San Telmo Museum (San Sebastian), CIAJG (Guimarães), and the Carreras Múgica, Pelaires and Nordés galleries.

Taxio Ardanaz is a recipient of the 2026 three-month residencies for visual artists.