Nieves González, the Asturian artist turning tambourines into works of art

What began as a one-off commission has evolved into an artistic project with a waiting list stretching to 2028. Asturian creator Nieves González, originally from Porrúa and a Fine Arts graduate, has transformed the pandereta —an unmistakable symbol of traditional music in Asturias— into the main canvas for a body of work that connects identity, memory and contemporary creation.

For more than a decade, she took part in exhibitions and art fairs, was selected twice for the Principality of Asturias Visual Arts Showcase, and presented her work at the Oviedo Art Fair. However, sustaining her artistic production proved challenging. The turning point came when she agreed to decorate a tambourine for a neighbour. Shortly afterwards, she decided to intervene one of her own and share it on social media. That post significantly increased the visibility of her work and led to a steady flow of commissions.

Since then, each tambourine has been unique. She does not use templates or repeat designs. People who contact her share family stories, personal symbols or scenes linked to Asturian culture that they wish to see represented. Traditional music, rural landscapes and iconic elements of Asturian imagery become the protagonists of illustrations defined by bold lines and flat colours —a visual language she has refined over time until it became unmistakably her own.

Today, while combining teaching with this growing project, Nieves González has succeeded in transforming a popular musical instrument into an artistic piece and a symbol of identity. A reminder that tradition is not static: it can resonate, evolve and, why not, be filled with colour.