When Panama Trades Beige for Every Color
Walking into the gallery means stepping into the world of Mario Saldaña, an artist from Chiriquí who describes his work as Panamanian costumbrismo reimagined through a world of fantasy. His art blends traditional elements with a modern perspective: women dressed in polleras, references to Guna culture, urban landscapes, fish, and abstract forms come to life through intense colors and compositions designed to stand out rather than fade into the background. Saldaña became interested in painting as a child, and over the years, his work has been featured in exhibitions both in Panama and abroad.
A Gallery That Opened Its Doors to More Artists
But Casa Saldaña was created with a purpose that goes beyond displaying his own paintings. For years, Mario envisioned a space where other artists could express themselves and find the opportunities that were difficult for him to access at the beginning of his career. That vision led him to create a center for artistic expression, where visitors can experience Panamanian art from a closer, more contemporary perspective.
Perhaps that is its greatest charm: you walk in looking for art and leave seeing Panama through different eyes. Because here, tradition does not sit still inside a frame; it transforms, grows bolder, fills with color, and finds a new way to tell its story.
