Ana Belén Rico
29 April 2026 – 31 January 2027
Ana Belén Rico was born in Gijón in 1975. Her work spans artistic creation, research and education, with a consistent focus on creative processes, the body and the human dimension of art.
She graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Basque Country in 1999 and went on to obtain a PhD in Transdisciplinary Research in Education.
She has been working in the field of education for over fifteen years. Her training and experience have enabled her to integrate art, science and pedagogy from a sensitive, critical perspective that is deeply connected to the body and experience.
She has participated in research projects linked to art and cultural heritage, working on the design and development of teaching materials, and has collaborated on projects related to environment and space.
Her contact with healthcare settings marked a turning point. Since then, she has understood art as a form of care, emotional support and the humanisation of spaces.
Today, her work lies at the intersection of artistic creation, education and health, with the aim of transforming spaces into more humane places, without losing her professional identity.
Project in residence
Art, perception and care
This project proposes an artistic research initiative focused on the humanisation of spaces linked to care, health and the life journey within Gijón’s Knowledge Mile. It aims to understand art as a tool applied to the human experience within care contexts.
It is situated at the intersection of artistic creation, perception and well-being, and stems from a central question: how can art transform the emotional experience in spaces where the body and vulnerability are at the forefront?
The residency is conceived as a space for research and prototyping in which to explore the potential of organic forms, colour and perception as devices for emotional support, particularly in healthcare and life transition settings.
Beyond its aesthetic dimension, the project views artistic practice as a form of knowledge and as a means of generating a real impact on people’s experiences. In dialogue with key stakeholders in the healthcare, education and social sectors, the project aims to develop a replicable model in which art functions as a public service, capable of fostering wellbeing, connection and care.