Clorrie Yeomans meets Tere Chad, a Chilean artist on the move.
Cycling over 40 miles around London each week, Chilean artist and curator Tere Chad is a true urban explorer. “I’ve always been active, adventurous, and curious,” she says with a bright smile, removing her raincoat and helmet to reveal long brown hair and an embroidered waistcoat. For Tere, the city is more than a backdrop; it’s a source of inspiration. Referring to herself as a “Southern Flâneur,” she offers a modern take on the idea of the wandering artist, a nod to Charles Baudelaire. But while Baudelaire found inspiration in 19th-century Paris, Tere has found London to be her creative gateway to the world.
Since moving to the city to pursue her studies at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, Tere has worked in no fewer than 15 countries. Her latest exhibition, Southern Flâneur, tells the story of these global travels. Through photography, sculpture, and participatory artworks, she reflects on her experiences in London, Sicily, Mexico, Northern Ireland, and Southern Spain. But instead of displaying her work in a traditional gallery, Tere recently chose Paladar, a fiery South American restaurant in London’s Latino neighbourhood, to exhibit her latest collection.
“The culture of South London resonates deeply with me,” she explains as we whisk around the restaurant. “Exhibiting in a restaurant, a place of rich conversations and culinary delights, made perfect sense.” Visitors could experience Tere’s artworks in a vibrant environment paired with pisco sours, tacos, and one of London’s most exciting South American wine lists. “Food and wine are approachable vehicles for experiencing art,” Tere says, inviting diners to interact with her work in a warm and sensory space.
The intersection of wine and art is central to Tere’s story. As the niece of Eduardo Chadwick, a pioneering figure in Chilean fine wine, she grew up steeped in the traditions of winemaking. “Producing wine is a high-end craft that requires delicacy, precision, and immense passion,” she recalls, highlighting how her uncle’s meticulousness in winemaking influenced her approach to art. “My grandmother, a winery owner and an incredible sculptor at 92, still creates art with that same passion.” These childhood memories of summers in Chile, surrounded by vineyards, also inspire her poetry readings.
Central to Tere’s work is also her commitment to exploring contemporary global challenges, through a Latin American lens. “One of the most beautiful things about being from Latin America is the myriad ways to convey different skills simultaneously, fostering creativity and resourcefulness.” Photography, land art, and community engagement allow her to explore issues like climate change and recycling, while embracing Latin American empowerment. Tere reflects, “I believe the way the culture of the South connects to nature can offer solutions to face climate change and many of the 21st century’s challenges.”
Her bold vision doesn’t end here. The exhibition at Paladar was a precursor to Neo Norte 5.0, a project set to launch on 7th November at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo, Brazil. Neo Norte draws inspiration from Uruguayan artist Joaquín Torres García, who envisioned the South becoming the new cultural compass for the world. Tere’s work suggests that by looking to Latin America, we can find creative solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues.
As Tere continues to cycle through London, capturing the city’s essence in her art, her work remains a celebration of her Latin American roots and a reflection of her global experiences. Forever curious, always exploring, Tere Chad is a true Southern Flâneur.
Find out more about the Neo Norte 5.0 programme, to be launched on the 7th November at the Memorial da America Latina in São Paulo, as part of a series of events taking place between 2024 – 2025 here.
Written by Clorrie Yeomans
