Art Madrid'26 – LIQUITEX CADMIUM FREE AT ART MADRID'18

Liquitex, leading brand in acrylics and collaborator of # ArtMadrid18 launches a new range of cadmium-free colors with the same performance as acrylics with cadmium but safer for the artist and the environment. Do you join the challenge?

Liquitex cadmium free

Since its creation in 1955, Liquitex has partnered with artists to ensure constant evolution and innovation. As there is not a single opinion about the damage that can potentially be caused by cadmium pigments, Liquitex has chosen to offer both alternatives in parallel, so that artists can choose based on their personal preferences. ColArt, in constant search for safer formulations, (already they did it with the health and environmental implications of lead and stopped using white lead pigments in their formulations) it thus becomes the first brand in the market to launch an alternative to cadmium paints with a performance comparable to that of the original cadmium paints, and responds to the needs of artists who care more about health and enviroment safety issues.

Liquitex cadmium free

Throughout 3 years, a team of chemists has evaluated a range of pigments available to develop 7 new colors that respect our health and the environment: Light yellow, medium yellow, yellow dark, orange, light red, medium red and dark red, which offer the same resistance to light and vitality as classic cadmium paints and have the Approved Product Seal of the Art and Creative Materials Institute Institute (ACMI), that identifies safe art materials, that is, that the products that carry them have been evaluated by qualified toxicologists and labeled according to federal and state legislation.

Liquitex cadmium free

But, in addition to the toxicological test, it was essential to be tested by artists, the users. Liquitex identified regular users of acrylic paint and in particular of cadmium colors to carry out a series of tests (light resistance, longevity, pure tone of color, brightness, viscosity ...) Each artist received two sets of identical colors, one with genuine cadmium paints and one with cadmium-free paints. The tests were blind, without the artists knowing how one set of paintings differed from the other. They were given a month to work with both games and compare. They were also given a diary in which to write down observations during the evaluation period, as well as an exhaustive questionnaire at the end. None identified the fact that one of the two sets contained cadmium-free paints.

Liquitex wants artists to experience first-hand that the performance of alternative colors free of cadmium is truly comparable. Do you want to try this new CADMIUM FREE range? Do you want to receive one of its "blind tests"? Then enter the link and participate in the challenge: here

Liquitex cadmium free

The 22nd edition of Art Madrid opens its application period. From 3 to 7 March 2027, the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles will once again become the meeting point for national and international contemporary art. Galleries interested in taking part can submit their application until 20 October 2026.



Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Aerial view.

The Art Madrid contemporary art fair

Art Madrid takes place each year as part of Madrid Art Week, the moment in the Spanish art calendar with the highest concentration of collectors, institutions and specialist press. With 22 years of history, the fair brings together national and international galleries with a programme focused on recently produced contemporary work.


Located at the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles, in the cultural heart of the city and steps away from the Triángulo del Arte and the Paseo del Prado, Art Madrid offers participating galleries a distinctive and recognisable setting within the Spanish art fair landscape.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Entrance.

Art Madrid'26 in figures

The previous edition closed with 35 galleries from 7 countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Taiwan, South Korea and Cuba), over 200 artists and around 20,000 visitors. 35% of the audience were new collectors, with an age range between 35 and 60 and a gender split of 55% women and 45% men.


The fair welcomed representatives from more than 30 foundations, museums and collections, including Fundación Mapfre, Fundación BBVA, Fundación Telefónica, Fundación Banco Santander, Fundación Bertelsmann, Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, Fundación Carmen y Lluís Bassat, Fundación Studiolo, Fundació Lluís Coromina, IVAM, MARCO, CAAM, MEIAC and the Museo del Romanticismo. Delegations from Madrid City Council, the Community of Madrid, the Ministry of Culture and ambassadors from several countries also attended.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Fundación Studiolo Acquisition Award.

PROGRAMMES

GALLERIES PROGRAMME

In each edition, Art Madrid brings together a carefully curated selection of around 35 national and international galleries with proposals focused on recently produced contemporary work.


ONE SHOT COLLECTORS PROGRAMME

Sponsored by One Shot Hotels and led by Ana Suárez Gisbert (art advisor specialising in international law and the art trade, art appraiser and court expert), the Collectors Programme connects new and experienced buyers with the participating works and galleries through a personalised advisory service throughout the five days of the fair.


For galleries, it operates as an additional channel for engaging active buyers, running in parallel to their own commercial activity.


PATRONAGE PROGRAMME

Art Madrid partners with institutions, collectors and private companies to directly support artists and galleries through awards and acquisitions. At the 2026 edition:


  • One Shot Hotels Breakthrough Artist Award (€1,000): Joost Vandebrug · KANT Gallery (Copenhagen–Palma)
  • Cervezas Alhambra Emerging Artist Award (€1,000): Iyán Castaño · Galería Arancha Osoro (Oviedo)
  • Colección Studiolo Acquisition: Roger Sanguino · DDR Art Gallery (Madrid)
  • Colección E2IN2 Acquisition: Albert Bonet · Inéditad Gallery (Barcelona)
  • Devesa Law Acquisition: Kim Han Ki · Banditrazos Gallery (Seoul)
  • Colección dn2 Acquisition: Iván Baizán · Galería Arancha Osoro (Oviedo)

Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Devesa Law Acquisition Award.


PARALLEL PROGRAMME AND ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

Throughout February, Art Madrid runs a Parallel Programme of series, talks and projects that extend the dialogue beyond the fair venue.


During the five days of the fair, alongside the galleries' exhibition programme, on-site activities include the Open Booth, the Performance Series and Readings: Curated Tours.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. View of Daniel Barrio's Open Booth.


Communication and reach

The Art Madrid'26 communications campaign reached 17 million people across online and offline media: print press, radio, exclusive catalogue, web, newsletter, social media and virtual 360° tour. Coverage included general and specialist national and international media, with appearances on RTVE, TeleMadrid, Onda Madrid, Onda Cero, COPE, El Mundo, ABC, Vogue, TimeOut and Elle, among others.


All participating galleries and artists feature on the Art Madrid website during and after the fair, with their own profile, images of works and contact details.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Aerial view.


KEY INFORMATION:

Galleries interested in taking part in the 22nd edition of Art Madrid can submit their application through the online registration form available on the website until 20 October 2026.



For any queries, please write to info@art-madrid.com or call +34 91 535 87 11.