Cristobal "Cotov" Guerrero was born in 1988 in the city of Puerto Montt, in the Chilean Green Patagonia, surrounded by pristine and lush nature that would become the roots of his artistic development.
It is no coincidence that the city of Puerto Montt was the birthplace of great pictorial artists such as Manoly, Wistuba, Pacheco Altamirano, who portrayed the beauty and drama of a city linked to the sea, providing perspective to the work of the young artist, especially the murals by Manoly in the Puerto neighborhood, which later inspired him to seek a path of expression in the streets as he began to explore his own artistic style.
Despite having solid artistic skills, an interest in the sciences began to emerge in him. In 2009, he moved to Temuco and enrolled as a Biotechnology student, which would immerse him in the observation of a microscopic world for the next 6 years, appreciating and contemplating a different perspective on life. This stage was undoubtedly pivotal for Cotov's intellectual and personal growth.
In parallel, he participated in various initiatives related to visual and graphic arts, and he carried out his first urban interventions through murals and graffiti, quickly gaining reputation in the local scene. All of this helped him develop a personal signature and a much more refined technique.
Once he graduated, he wanted to continue expanding his artistic boundaries, and his adventurous and nomadic spirit led him to different places in Latin America, immersing himself in different cultures, gaining experience, and leaving his artistic mark in countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and even Easter Island, among many others.
In 2019, he gained public recognition by winning first place in a major painting competition in the acrylic category with his work "Artchemist II." Since then, Cotov has fully embraced the development of his artistic career, adding to his portfolio with graphic design projects, character illustration for businesses, and the creation of new brands and packaging, demonstrating that his creativity knows no bounds.
In 2022, thanks to his meteoric career, he received an invitation to undertake an artistic residency in Mexico, where he was able to develop his art and even explore interior design and aesthetic commissions successfully.
By 2023, Cotov had sold more than 70 original pieces in his short career and decided to emigrate to England to take the next step in the professionalization of his artistic career. (Photo at TATE Modern, next to a work “El caracol” by Henri Matisse.)