Laura Bienvenido (Kaupu)

My Artistic Name, My Way of Understanding Life

Kaupu is more than just the name of my creative studio. It’s my spirit, my way of understanding life and of falling in love with the fleeting moments that surround me—those moments that remind me how wonderfully beautiful life truly is.
— Laura Bienvenido

Kaupu was born as my personal shout to life—a celebration of good energy and a deep desire to live fully. To me, Kaupu is about knowing how to enjoy the small moments life gifts us, appreciating every little detail around us, and learning to nourish our soul and inner world through these beautiful and unrepeatable experiences.

I’ve always felt a deep connection with the sea—probably because of the vitality and positive energy it gives me. That connection grew even stronger when I began surfing at 19 and started embracing a life where I gave myself time: time to think, to understand myself, and to discover the beauty of the world around me.

That’s when I realised that what makes the things around us so extraordinary isn’t their mere existence, but my own decision to give them my time—to truly see them. It's the choice to pause, to take in a moment, and to treasure it in my memory, knowing it may never return in the same physical form.

Kaupu Photography Exhibitions

It was during this time of reflection that my project “The Sea, My Soul” was born. I began assembling my underwater photography kit, listing the places I carry in my memory as beautiful, powerful moments, and spending nights sleeping in my van—waiting for the stars to appear in the early hours, or for the magical light of dawn to colour the landscape.

All of it with one goal: to capture those brief, unique moments that would never happen again—and make them eternal.

The project was first exhibited by the sea in Cádiz, across two consecutive summer seasons.

These days, I continue bringing a little light, colour, and texture from Cádiz to different corners of Spain. You can always stay updated about our next exhibition via my social media!

My Exhibitions as an Artistic Journey

I’d like to take a moment now to pause and reflect on all the personal and artistic work I’ve done so far. Often, I get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to fully appreciate the essential decisions I’ve made along the way—decisions that have shaped who I am and where I’m going.

To be honest, everything has come as a bit of a surprise. When I studied photography, I never imagined I’d end up in the art world. I always saw it more as a profession centred around offering photography and video services. But the pandemic changed everything for me. I realised I had a lot of quality photographic material and many powerful ideas that had been waiting in the shadows, waiting for the right time to come to light.

From Laura Bienvenido to Kaupu

For me, both personally and professionally, the creation of Kaupu marked a crucial turning point. Until then, I had always used my full name to promote myself and my work. But when I launched my first “pseudo-gallery”, I quickly realised I didn’t want to present this new body of work under my own name. I wanted a name that represented both the art I was creating and the spiritual and philosophical ideas behind it.

So, in 2021, I held my first open exhibition in Chiclana de la Frontera, where I brought together my earliest pieces and designed different formats to make the space interesting—offering a variety of sizes and finishes to fulfil my desire to create a carefully curated, visual, and varied project.

That summer, I spent the entire season by the beach, displaying my work and engaging directly with the public. People were just starting to discover me, and I started to see that this idea of pursuing my own personal project wasn’t so far-fetched after all. Seeing how much people enjoyed my work made me genuinely happy—it was the push I needed to carry on.

Kaupu Exhibition in La Latina, Madrid

When I first started this journey, I never imagined that just two years later I’d be hosting a solo exhibition, personally attending it for an entire month, in the very heart of Madrid. I had moved to the city just a few months earlier, and its streets gave me a deep sense of peace and freedom.

A Commitment to Analogue Techniques

For this exhibition, I decided to include something different: analogue photography. I wasn’t sure how it would be received in the context of a city gallery, where digital art and modern techniques tend to dominate. But I took the risk.

A Warm Reception: Sales and International Recognition

To my surprise, the exhibition was a great success. Not only did it attract art and photography enthusiasts, but I also managed to sell a few pieces—always a strong sign that the work is truly resonating with people.

What touched me the most was the response from international visitors—people just passing through Madrid who connected with my art and even bought it. That’s when I realised I was on the right path, and that I could keep building on this journey.

Motivated by that experience, new opportunities began to appear. After that successful Madrid exhibition, I returned to my hometown of Cádiz to take part in two very special exhibitions.

Back to Cádiz: Two Very Special Exhibitions

Following the warm reception in Madrid, I had the chance to exhibit in Cádiz once again. Coming back to my roots with an updated body of work and new experiences under my belt was truly meaningful.

Kaupu at El Cuartel del Mar: A Success with a Bittersweet Ending

The first exhibition in Cádiz took place at El Cuartel del Mar, a beachfront restaurant that used to be a Civil Guard barracks and now hosts monthly art exhibitions.

What made this exhibition special for me:

The chance to show my work in an incredible space with sea views—perfect for the themes I explore.

A warm, familiar atmosphere with friends and family I hadn’t seen in years.

The opportunity to appear in a local TV interview where I spoke about my work and techniques (you can find the interview below).

Everything was going wonderfully until something unexpected happened: one of my pieces was stolen.

The real issue wasn’t just the theft itself, but the organisers’ inability to take responsibility for it. Faced with their lack of response, I made the difficult decision to take down the exhibition a week earlier than planned.

Despite the unfortunate ending, my overall memory of the exhibition remains a happy and fulfilling one. It allowed me to reconnect with my roots, share my work with my close circle, and, on a positive note, I did sell a few pieces.

Kaupu at Café del Arte: Exhibiting in My Lifelong Neighbourhood

It might seem like a simple thing, but for me, exhibiting in the café of the neighbourhood where I grew up meant a lot. It’s a small, tight-knit place where everyone knows each other, and every time I return, people greet me and ask how life’s treating me.

Why this exhibition was so meaningful:

The entire neighbourhood came together to support me—many lifelong neighbours attended the show.

It was a relaxed atmosphere, full of memories and nostalgia.

The opening event was a success, with sales and many engaging conversations about my work.

To add a special touch, I set up a photo booth with a giant wave backdrop. The idea was to let visitors take a fun photo as a souvenir beyond just viewing the art—and it worked beautifully. The event was full of energy, laughter, and heartfelt reunions.

What I’ve Learned from My Exhibitions

The Good: Art Connects with People Anywhere

Before embarking on this artistic path, I often wondered whether my work and vision would resonate in certain spaces or with certain audiences. But my modest experience has shown me that when an artwork is genuine, it can connect with people anywhere.

The Bad: Logistical Challenges and the Unexpected

Like life itself, exhibitions are full of surprises—from the lack of commitment from some organisers to unfortunate incidents like theft. I’ve learned that you always need to be prepared for the unexpected and know how to respond when things don’t go to plan.

The Takeaway: Keep Creating and Sharing My Vision

Every exhibition is a lesson and an opportunity for both personal and professional growth. We know in advance that not everything will go as expected, but it’s about enjoying the small moments and realising that every experience holds something valuable to take with you.