We are CHROM.ART

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Art should be enjoyed by
and accessible to everyone

MEET THE TEAM

JAVIER MELIAN
Co-Founder

I was born in Canary Islands in a family of five siblings. I always had a creative mind and a strong determination to the point my mum would call me "steam roller". When I finished school I wanted to become an Advertising creative, however I succumbed to family pressures and followed the path to more "stable" sources of income. I went to University in Madrid to study Business instead.

Almost 20 years ago I moved to London to take on higher education and never left. My day job is in Financial Services, however my real passions are Art and mentoring. I started volunteering as mentor for young people about 8 years ago, mostly artists (graffiti writers, tattoo artists, etc). That was the start of a life changing journey, as in the quest to find ways to help my mentees I joined Twitter were I met other art lovers and truly inspirational people and ended up doing arts promotion. My mentees used art and color as self-therapy, to escape their problems and confront their fears. They are the motivation and the inspiration behind the Chrom-Art project.

JACINTO CAETANO
Co-Founder

I'm a Senior Designer with more than 15 years of experience in both digital and traditional communication & media, qualified in branding as well as being very passionate about photography and the arts. My experience takes responsibility for concept development, art direction and final delivery on big projects.

I have been honoured to work for major clients such as Sky, B&Q, Warburtons, NowTV and Gillette. I really enjoy being Brand Guardian of companies like Santander and E·ON. Since 2014 I operate as Lead Designer at WCRS (part of ENGINE Group) in Central London, focused on providing brands with work people care about. This role is not only rewarding, it's a complete joy.

One of my biggest projects at WCRS has been the re-branding of the London Cycle Hire scheme Santander Cycles, creating the innovative designs of London's most representative landmarks featured on all of 12,500+ bikes. The campaigns I'm proudest of are London Pride's #NOFILTER and 'Love Happens Here', a wonderful message that's been shared thousands of times and part of a freedom-filled ethos utilising well-known advocates like Ian McKellen and Graham Norton. Especially though, for spreading Love.

I'm a founding member and Creative Director for London-based Social Enterprise CHROM-ART, promoting emerging artists and connecting art lovers worldwide; managing operations, PR & communication and organising art events primarily TRIBE, an annual international fair with 150+ artists involved and over 7,500 visitors in its latest edition #TRIBE17, held at the iconic OXO Tower.

Colleagues know me as a highly creative, hard-working, happy person, always bringing new ideas to the tablet. I'm supportive, proactive and easy-going, full of energy and optimistic in life.

KRIS CIESLAK
Co-Founder

Born in Warsaw, Poland, I now live and work in London, where I moved after a successful series of exhibitions in Paris, Rome, Milan and Warsaw. I’ve always been interested in visual art, especially in drawing, painting and sculpting. While studying at Schola Posnaniensis – University of Art -in Poznań, Poland with my main subject – Unique Object, I had exhibited my early works. After that I went to Paris as I felt the need to be surrounded by art even more. Since 2004, I’ve been a successful commercial artist, focusing my practice on painting, sculpting and ceramics and developing a unique painting style that I called “stripism", demonstrating that in art the only limitations are the borders of our own imagination.

I also curated and managed numerous art exhibitions and events in Warsaw, Paris and here in London, and as such had the opportunity to work with many talented artists, suppliers and contractors as well as with interesting clients and collectors. My big love in life are people. I am very keen to share my passion and talents with individuals who want to participate and be inspired by my creative process, sharing my thoughts and ideas with them, hoping that it will bring more good to our existence, using the universal language of art.

JAVIER LAURET
Co-Founder

I am the property-obsessed part of Chrom-Art. Raised to be a musician I studied violin and viola since I was a child and then for another 14 years in several conservatories,. However I was always fascinated by the career of my oldest brother who is an architect, and growing surrounded by his books I developed a true passion for buildings, architecture, interior design and property. At the time that was a tricky profession in Spain. As a result I opted for a Business degree at the Complutense University of Madrid and went to work for one of the largest food and snacks manufacturers in the world (yes you have purchased those chocolate bars hundreds of times), where I spent a decade in different sales and marketing roles in Spain and Portugal.

All those years equipped me with a strong corporate background. After that I decided it was about time to fulfil my true vocation. I started a small property development company in Spain which I still run, and when I moved to London decided to stick to property, studying a Masters in Real Estate, working for a boutique property consultancy in the West End and becoming now mostly focused on commercial property. I am the venues facilitator at Chrom-Art and I will be sourcing the most exciting spaces to display the art of this group of amazing artists.

ARTURO GARCÍA DE LAS HERAS
Co-Founder

I was born in Madrid in 1973 and ever since I can remember I draw and paint. I've always been interested in art, and always open to different styles, trends, schools and authors. On the same day I can admire some pieces by Velazquez, Dali or Picasso at the museum, and then freak out with a graffiti on street by Borondo, SNIK or Norman Rockwell (just to mention a few in both cases). I'm in permanent search of new techniques, not only getting the appropriate lessons from an academic perspective, but also experimenting myself with new materials and ideas, which you can tell just browsing my artwork through the years.

I've always been involved in volunteering activities, mainly with kids, aimed at giving back to the communities we live and work in. I have found in Chrom-Art the best channel to drive those two interests, art and philanthropy simultaneously, as it is a Social Enterprise focused on enabling emerging artists to develop their practice and reach a broader audience; a mentoring space and artistic cluster where art can be nurtured, commercialized and enjoyed by everyone.

By joining Chrom-Art, I hope to be able to help developing the philosophy and the mission of the organization, combining my modest artist's point of view, with a profound volunteering spirit.

DAWN CHAN
Asia Executive Director for China and Hong Kong

I was born in Madrid in 1973 and ever since I can remember I draw and paint. I've always been interested in art, and always open to different styles, trends, schools and As resourceful CEO, I was talented at developing innovative business solutions to meet customer needs, with outstanding communication and presentation skills. Motivated business professional emphasizing the use of cutting-edge technology in project reporting and resource coordination. Self-motivated effective in marketing both tangible and intangible products and services. I was working for as Director in Central Pacific Group and Zmartec as CEO and director from 2000 till 2018 Expert in operations analysis and management. A persuasive speaker and negotiator. Creative in building business models adept all aspects of technology and information systems. Expertise in full project lifecycle development with a focus on delivering business solutions to technology needs, to benefit in different party and society

Dynamic and creative Marketing with a successful career in product marketing, promotions, public relations, project and communications management. Experienced professional with strong leadership and relationship-building skills. Self-invested in various successful projects. In 2014, successfully push CPIT IPO in HK stock exchange. I was the primary founder of the company.

Nevertheless, I always felt I am a piece of living art； I have a history story and wisdom. My artistic sense started when I was little. I am still fascinated by art and the creative world, inspiring creativity and beauty around us. I want to be a true art lover. Since 2018 I am a full-time artist, besides I have my works and exhibitions, I am also interested in helping other artists promote their art. Because I think art should not have any boundaries and culture difference. We are sharing the same languages, colour, form, shape, tone, sense of living.

Degree: Interior Design (UK Birmingham)

Master degree: International Business Management (France Lyon and Shenzhen)

Art Foundation: Slade of Fine Art (UK London)

Art Foundation: Bournville College (UK Birmingham)

We are a new London based Social Enterprise (Community Interest Company) that supports talented undiscovered artists of all disciplines in our local communities, and promotes the education of creativity for the public benefit.

We are 100% volunteer run and operate a policy of applying all our profits to our social objectives.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to change the way artistic work is represented and viewed

OUR MISSION

Chrom-Art mobilises art lovers to become active players in the art world,

working to increase the visibility of emerging artists,

connecting artists with art lovers

and supporting artists and the wider community by building mutually beneficial collaborations

for the public benefit.

KEY OBJECTIVES

a) Increasing the visibility of diverse and emerging artforms and artists

1. Supporting emerging unrepresented artists in developing their artistic talent and ability to create art by providing both commercial opportunities [online shop, art loans collaborations] and non commercial help [studio space, mentoring opportunities].

2. Providing affordable opportunities for talented artists to produce, exhibit and sell their work.

3. Raising the profiles of artists through interviews and videos.

4. Building a brand and a credible voice for promoting diverse art forms that may not otherwise not reach an audience.

b) Connecting artists with art lovers

5. Creating inspiring events that bring together art lovers, the wider community and artists to appreciate all forms of art e.g. the Tribe events.

6. Building wider platforms for the sharing of art and increasing the reach of that art through building up audiences of art lovers through all social media and innovative physical showcase events.

c) Supporting artists and the wider community by building mutually beneficial collaborations

7. Working within communities to educate and inform about all forms of artistic expressions and encourage interest in the arts.

8. Providing job opportunities for young people in our communities through artistic projects and collaborations between Chrom-Art, the artists and the commercial sector.

9. Working with the commercial sector and other interested stakeholders in raising funds, when necessary, to support the achievement of the Organization's objectives.

10. Running projects aimed at the education of creativity to children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities.

VolunteerinG

Relying entirely on volunteers, CHROM-ART is a nomadic space that will usually materialize into a pop-up gallery & meeting space in various venues across London.

If there is any way in which you might be of help, or if you think we might be able to help, please get in touch. We are a friendly and dedicated team of art and business professionals united by a common belief: that art should be enjoyed by and accessible to everyone.