Ruben Astudillo (b.2001) is a figurative sculptor born in Loja, in the south of Ecuador. He was introduced to sculpture at an early age through the atelier of Boris Salinas, where he first encountered terracotta as both a material and a tradition, shaping his early relationship with form and the human figure.

His formation has developed through close mentorships and independent training, including Immortal Mask, Brian Booth Craig, Valter Casotto, David Simon and Simon Lee. He has also studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Verona, and later refined his technical practice through focused study at the Florence Academy of Art, where he strengthened his representational skills.

Rooted in figurative and representational sculpture, his work explores psychological states, emotional tension and the passage of time. Through the human figure, he evokes a quiet and reflective sense of nostalgia, inviting the viewer into moments of introspection rather than fixed narratives.

His process begins with emotion and unfolds gradually through writing, drawing and sculptural experimentation. Working with terracotta, resin, silicone, plaster, natural hair and mixed materials, he investigates material illusion and sensory tension as extensions of inner experience.

His sculptures seek to create intimate encounters, often acting as subtle mirrors that foster empathy and recognition, offering the viewer a space for reflection on the human condition.