Karin
Lüders
Oil paintings by Karin Lüders: “Tango Heroes”
Karin Lüders, painter and tango dancer from Munich, created a portrait series of Argentine tango female and male singers over the past few years: “Tango Heroes”, her personal heroes of contemporary tango. This series includes ten large-format oil paintings. Graffiti and street art from Buenos Aires served as inspiration for the backgrounds of the portraits.
The idea for Karin’s tango art came when she wanted to express her love for the Argentine dance through painting as well. Although the golden age of the Argentine Tango lies a bit in the past, today a new generation of dancers and musicians has established itself. They keep the tradition alive in this century and give it new impulses. Thanks to these artists, people even talk about a “new golden age.” It was they who shaped Karin Lüders’ personal tango era (2005 to today) and above all filled the live music with fresh energy and dynamism.
Eliana Sosa
Eliana Sosa has been the lead singer of Orquesta Típica Misteriosa Buenos Aires since 2008. She recorded three albums with the orchestra and performed on stages all over the world. In addition, she also devotes herself to other projects. In 2013, for example, she recorded her first solo CD titled “Sinergia Tanguera”. She gives singing lessons and is also a singer with Orquesta Juan Pablo Gallardo, with whom she released the CD “De culto y popular” in 2019. In 2021, her second solo album “De Donde Vengo” followed. In addition to tango pieces, you can also hear Argentine folklore and self-written compositions.
“Eliana Sosa, tango singer”, Karin Lüders 2022
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, fine art print paper
Marisol Martinez
Marisol Martinez, who had already stood out for her talent in the earliest youth, was the first singer of the Orquesta Romántica Milonguera. With a smoky voice and a sensuous, self-confident presence, she contributed to the success of this orchestra. Its special feature is elaborate music videos in which Marisol appeared. In the meantime, she sings with other orchestras such as El Cachivache, Orquesta Típica Andariega, or La Auténtica Milonguera. With all formations, she recorded successful albums. In 2021, she recorded an album with the band “Marisol Martinez y Los Gentiles” that she founded.
“Marisol Martinez, tango singer”, Karin Lüders 2022
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Ximena Gimenez
Ximena Gimenez became known when she started as a front singer with Orquesta Romántica Milonguera. With a beautiful voice, perfect singing technique, and an original retro look, she won over the audience. In the meantime, she has become a sought-after solo act. In summer 2023, she released her first self-titled album “Un Infierno.” On it, she interprets classic tango songs in her own arrangements. Currently, with her band “Los Infernales,” she gives live concerts at many milongas. In addition, she appears in several top-class tango shows in Buenos Aires.
“Ximena Gimenez, tango singer”, Karin Lüders 2023
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Javier Di Ciriaco
Javier Di Ciriaco was the founder, musical director, and singer of the “Sexteto Milonguero”. Since 2006, this group has provided a fresh, energetic sound and helped shape more recent Tangos history. On tours throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and the USA, the orchestra reached a large audience. After three albums produced together, Javier released his solo album “Íntimo” in 2016. In addition to tango tracks and Argentine folklore, it also includes pop songs, some of them his own compositions. In 2020, the Sexteto Milonguero disbanded. But you can still hear its music, with Javiers unique voice, at many milongas.
“Javier Di Ciriaco, singer/songwriter”, Karin Lüders 2023
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, fine art print paper
El Chino Laborde
Walter “El Chino“ Laborde looks back on a long, versatile career. He was a co-founder of the Orquesta Fernandez Fierro, which invented a new, rock-influenced tango style. Other stages in his career included, among other things, the Chino Laborde Trio and the Orquesta Sans Souci. With these, he recorded the album “Porteñísimo“ in 2020. He made numerous additional albums and also appeared in films. These included “Midsummer night tango“, where he explored the roots of Finnish tango with musician friends, and “One last tango“ by German Kral. Soon, Chino will be seen in the feature film “Tuve El Corazón“ by Oliver Kolker.
“El Chino Laborde, tango singer”, Karin Lüders 2023
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Jesús Hidalgo
Jesús Hidalgo studied guitar and singing and won several awards as a soloist. He took part in festivals in Argentina and abroad, e.g. in Spain, Uruguay, Japan, Brazil and the USA. His career included various radio and television appearances; for example, he sang in a duet with Inés Cuello. He released several albums such as „El día después“ or „Ese Abril“. Jesús sings with orchestras such as La Auténtica Milonguera, Quinteto Leopoldo Federico or Orquesta de Tango de Buenos Aires. A highlight of his career was an appearance for the 100-year celebration of Astor Piazzolla at the famous Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
“Jesús Hidalgo, tango singer”, Karin Lüders 2024
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Inés Cuello
Inés Cuello is known for her heartfelt and passionate performances. Her international career began in 2009 with the show “Tango Pasión,” which took her on a world tour. Thanks to her exceptional vocal range and her ability to evoke emotions in her listeners, she is considered one of the best interpreters of tango and folklore. Her albums “Sueño de Juventud,” “Canciones del Sur,” “Gardel,” and “Mi Ciudad y Mi Gente” earned her three nominations for the Gardel Awards. Inés has appeared on television several times and has already performed on the stage of the famous Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
“Inés Cuello, Singer,” Karin Lüders 2024
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Juan Villarreal
Juan Villarreal is a singer, guitarist and composer in many music projects: Orquesta El Arranque, Dúo Villarreal Crom or Nidia y su Banda. Known for his poetic sound, Juan captivates the audience with his charismatic stage presence. He gave concerts in Latin America, the USA and Europe and recorded several albums. With the Argentinian-Norwegian group “El Muro Tango”, he toured Europe; their CD “Nostálgico” received widespread critical acclaim. In 2022, he recorded the album “Camaradas” with Orquesta El Arranque. Shortly after, “D’Arienzo en Guitarras” and “Moderno Trovador” were released with guitarist Patricio Crom.
“Juan Villarreal, singer/guitarist”, Karin Lüders 2025
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Antonela Alfonso
Antonela Alfonso’s voice, shaped by her roots and her early love of tango, combines tradition with contemporary sensitivity. She was a member of Tango Bardo, with whom she recorded the album Ella y Caló. She often performs with the Romántica Milonguera orchestra and takes part in international tours. At the same time, she develops the AH! Tango Dúo, an intimate project with original arrangements. She has appeared in stage productions such as Black Tango, Gotanbo, and Hidden Rhythms, and performed in the most renowned tango venues of Buenos Aires, as well as on stages throughout Europe and Asia.
“Antonela Alfonso, singer”, Karin Lüders 2025
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Marco Bellini
Marco Bellini was, in 2004, co-founder of the outstanding Orquesta El Afronte. With their powerful sound, the musicians brought tango into modern times, while remaining purely acoustic. Their CDs up to 2019 include Tango Al Palo, Íntimo Puñal and Claroscuro. Today, Marco is the organizer of the well-known Maldita Milonga and manager of the Atroden Club, which was designated by the City of Buenos Aires as a “place of cultural interest”. With the Orquesta Romántica Milonguera, he sang in a duet with Antonela Alfonso; both are heard on the CD “Vete De Mi”. Marco currently works as a singer with orchestras such as La Juan D’ Arienzo, Siempre Tango or Reyes del Tango.
“Marco Bellini, singer”, Karin Lüders 2026
Original: 90 x 120 cm, oil painting on canvas
Prints: 50 x 65 cm, Fine Art Print paper
Original paintings or art prints?
The style of Karin Lüders’ original paintings is photorealistic; the technique is traditional, using oil paint on canvas. The dimensions are 90 x 120 cm, mounted on a wooden stretcher frame. The edges are painted all around, creating a modern look even when the works are displayed without additional framing. A hook attached at the top center makes hanging the artwork easy. Each painting is hand-signed.
Alternatively, you can purchase elegant fine art prints with the highest level of detail in the 50 x 65 cm format. The edition is limited to 30 copies per motif. The art print (also known as a giclée print) is produced on high-quality Hahnemühle “William Turner” paper and is personally signed by the artist; it also includes a certificate of authenticity.
The tango stars with their portraits
Some of the singers were already able to visit their original large portraits in Munich, such as Eliana Sosa at Nymphenburg Palace, Marisol Martinez at the Wirtshaus im Schlachthof, or Ximena Gimenez at the Künstlerhaus at Lenbachplatz. These events were organized by Tango Anabella—thank you so much! If you couldn’t travel to Munich, you received an art print in Buenos Aires, such as Javier Di Ciriaco, Jesús Hidalgo, Chino Laborde, Inés Cuello and Juan Villarreal. Marco Bellini, who also runs the Atroden Club in Buenos Aires, was able to view his large portrait in the exhibition at his own club, as well as his singing colleague Antonela Alfonso.
When oil painting meets street art
Karin Lüders feels especially that the female and male singers of contemporary tango heroes are the front figures of their orchestras, drawing the audience in. With their stage presence and charisma, some of them became true icons of their time. They perform with different bands and sometimes feel at home in both classic tango and tango nuevo. Karin wants to pay tribute to these talented musicians with her art.
For the backgrounds of her portraits, the painter was inspired by street art motifs from the tango metropolis of Buenos Aires. The result can also be understood as a homage to the local street art scene. Karin’s photorealistically painted faces are in exciting contrast with the expressive backgrounds. Two worlds come together here in the message: “Tango is current”!
Exhibitions of “Tango Heroes” by Karin Lüders
Munich – Tango Maldito
The first exhibition of the “Tango Heroes” series at Tango Maldito in Munich took place in September 2024. Here, Karin Lüders’ large-format tango art was able to fully unfold its spatial effect. The movable mirrors on which the paintings were presented created amusing visual effects. The guests: tango dancers from near and far, as well as other people interested in art. With live music by Sebastian Kramer. Thanks to the organizers Jürgen Krebes and Carolin Mönkeberg and to all participants!
Berlin – Tango dancing makes you beautiful
The second major exhibition of the portraits by Karin Lüders took place in Berlin from September 2025 to January 2026—at the well-known hall of “Tangotanzen macht schön” (TTMS), the school of Susanne Opitz and Rafael Busch. A wonderful burst of color emerged in the spacious retro loft: The brightly painted walls matched the paintings perfectly. Tango students and milonga visitors enjoyed it, and of course non-dancers could also visit the exhibition.
New York – Salmagundi Club
More or less by chance, Karin Lüders entered a painting competition for realistic art in New York with some photos—the “7th NTD International Figure Painting Competition.” Surprisingly, she was selected as a finalist right away. Her original painting “Inés Cuello” was shown in New York at a large group exhibition with artists from all over the world. The event took place in the historic “Salmagundi Club” gallery on 5th Avenue in January 2026. Karin was invited and traveled to New York to be there.
Buenos Aires – Atroden Club
The next destination was Buenos Aires. Starting in February 2026, the tango paintings were shown at the “Atroden Club”, known for its weekly “Maldita Milonga.” Here, to-scale reproductions were used—initially they traveled with Karin Lüders in a big role. Only once they arrived in Buenos Aires were they mounted on wooden frames. A milonga took place especially for the opening of the exhibition , to which organizer Marco Bellini had invited many live bands. Some of the portrayed singers also took the stage. The paintings were unveiled ceremoniously; people danced exuberantly to tango, chacarera, and salsa—it was a celebration of tango art and music!
Bio: From graphic design to free painting
Karin Lüders was born in Pittsburgh/USA and spent her early youth in North Rhine-Westphalia. Later she moved to Bavaria, attended the Bad Tölz grammar school, and after graduating from high school she came to Munich to study communication design at the FHS. After graduating, she worked with fellow students in her own graphic design studio. Later, together with the artist Michael Baran, she founded the advertising agency Lüders & Baran, which was active in the fields of culture, publishing, merchandising, and film production.
In 1999, both of them additionally launched the “Don’t Tell Mama e.V.”, a non-profit association for the promotion of the arts. This helped in realizing theatre and music productions, exhibitions, and film projects. Among them was the independent feature film “Holy Spirit”, which received many awards at film festivals, and for which Karin acted as co-producer.
For some years now, Karin Lüders has been working as a freelance artist and has returned to her original motivation—drawing and painting. She devotes herself primarily to portrait painting, having found her own photorealistic, detailed style. Her love of tango combines with her love of painting—this is how her own version of Tango Argentino images came into being.
Article in “Tangodanza”
In late September 2026, the German-language Tangodanza – Europe’s largest magazine dedicated to Argentine tango – published an article on the work of Karin Lüders in issue No. 4/2026. Many thanks to author Birgit Chlupacek and the editorial team at Tangodanza! Under the section Galería, articles are regularly published about painters, illustrators, sculptors, and photographers who have dedicated themselves to tango. In the magazine’s online store (Kiosko), Tango Heroes postcards are available alongside many other items.
