BIO
Ruben Astudillo (b.2001) is an Ecuadorian figurative sculptor from Loja, Ecuador. He began his training at an early age in the atelier of Boris Salinas, where he was introduced to terracotta and the traditions of figurative sculpture. He later pursued undergraduate studies in sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Verona, Italy, and completed the Three-Year Certificate Program in Sculpture Drawing at The Florence Academy of Art, Italy. His formation has also included specialized training and mentorship with Simon Lee, Andrew Freeman, Valter Casotto, David Simon, and Brian Booth Craig, whom he later assisted in his studio in Pennsylvania, United States.
Astudillo has presented three solo exhibitions in Ecuador: Transiciones at Casa de la Maternidad Museum (2023), Mono a Hombre II at Museo Puerta de la Ciudad (2018), and Mono a Hombre at Ángel Rubén Garrido Gallery, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo de Loja (2018). His selected group exhibitions include FACE 2026, FACE 2025, and FACE 2024 at The Garrison Chapel, London, United Kingdom, as well as exhibitions at museums and cultural institutions in Ecuador.
His work has received national and international recognition. In 2025, Closer received the Tiranti Prize at FACE 2025 in London. In 2024, the same work was awarded First Place in The Future Generation Competition by the Portrait Society of America, while Over-Thinker received a Commended Sculpture distinction at FACE 2024. Earlier recognition includes an Honorable Mention and the Kléver Ajila Distinction at the Guillermo Herrera National Salon (2017).
His work has been featured in publications including the Journal of the Portrait Society of America and the annual FACE exhibition catalogues in the United Kingdom. His sculptures are held in private collections in the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2026, Astudillo was awarded The Florence Academy of Art’s Fourth Year Prize and continues his practice in Florence, Italy, as an Artist in Residence.
CV
EDUCATION & SELECTED TRAINING
2023-2026 - The Florence Academy of Art — Florence, Italy
Three-Year Certificate Program, Sculpture Drawing
2022-2023 – Undergraduate Studios in Sculpture — Verona, Italy
2022 - Immortal Masks
Apprenticeship with Andrew Freeman.
2021 - Simon Lee
Private Mentorship
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Transiciones, Casa de la Maternidad Museum. Loja, Ecuador
2018 Mono a Hombre II, Museo Puerta de la Ciudad, Loja, Ecuador
2018 Mono a Hombre, Ángel Rubén Garrido Gallery, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo de Loja. Ecuador
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026 FACE 2026, The Garrison Chapel. London, United Kingdom
2025 FACE 2025, The Garrison Chapel. London, United Kingdom
2024 FACE 2024, The Garrison Chapel. London, United Kingdom
2018 Expo Desnudo, Alfredo Mora Reyes Cultural Center. Loja, Ecuador
2018 Expo Promesas, Ángel Rubén Garrido Gallery, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo de Loja. Ecuador
2017
XV Binational Exhibition of Visual Arts, Ecuador–Peru, Eduardo Kingman Gallery, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo de Loja. Ecuador
Guillermo Herrera National Salon, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo de Loja. Ecuador
De Barro Museo de La Cultura Lojana. Loja, Ecuador
2016 Sosteniendo Sueños Museo Puerta de la Ciudad. Loja, Ecuador
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
2026 – “Escultura: transformación y nuevas prácticas”
MasterClass, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), Loja, Ecuador
SELECTED AWARDS & HONORS
2026-2027 Fourth Year Prize
Artist in Residence, The Florence Academy of Art. Florence, Italy
2025 Winner, The Tiranti Prize
FACE 2025, The Garrison Chapel. London, United Kingdom
Awarded for Closer
2025
Recognition for Artistic Achievement
Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Benjamin Carrion Nucleo de Loja. Ecuador
Recognition for Career and Contribution to Ecuadorian Art
National Assembly of Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador
2024 Winner, The Future Generation Competition
The Portrait Society of America. USA
Awarded for Closer
2024 Commended Sculpture, The Seledka Award
FACE 2024, The Garrison Chapel. London, United Kingdom
Awarded for Over-Thinker
2023
Municipal Sculpture Merit Recognition
Municipality of Loja. Loja, Ecuador
Rome Art Residencies
Scholarship; studied with Brian Booth Craig. Rome, Italy
2017
Honorable Mention
Guillermo Herrera National Salon, Casa de la Cultura, Loja, Ecuador
Kléver Ajila Distinction
Recognition for an artist under 30 for contribution to the Fine Arts, Loja, Ecuador
Guillermo Herrera National Salon, Casa de la Cultura, Loja, Ecuador