Art Madrid'25 – SHAPE AND COLOUR IN ART MADRID

The abstraction is a style emerged in the 19th century that gained strength progressively until reaching a large presence in the art world. Figurative art follows its own evolution, but it does not always achieve that same expressive potential. As abstract art consolidates, the game of creators in the combination of shapes and colours becomes increasingly complex. The power of the stain, the communicative value of the void, the absence, the strokes or the contrasts serve to recreate a universe of thoughts and emotions more difficult to capture through material and tangible elements.

Many times abstraction is achieved with the combination of these two artistic tools: shape and colour, used with intention and consciousness to build a complete narrative. The history of art, however, has offered us examples in which both elements can live separately. Before the Renaissance, the form was the one that prevailed over the colour, which was just a simple complement. The contours, the volumes, acquired a presence of their own, with an autonomous and self-sufficient expressive load in which colour, rather, had no place. It is afterwards when colour begins to acquire relevance by itself. Caravaggio, with its chiaroscuros, will give it the importance it deserves, the figures will no longer be flat, they will highlight the volumes and textures that make their way between a rich and diverse palette.

Caravaggio, "Giuditta e Oloferne", 1597

Although during Realism, form and colour will be comparable, with the impressionists colour and shape no longer exist, only the air - light relation will be real for the painter. This way, the light will be the real subject of the painting. The quality and quantity of it, not the line or the colour, will be what will offer one or another visual configuration of the object. However, Post-impressionism, among other things, supposes a recovery of the importance of drawing and of the concern to capture not only the light but also the expressiveness of things and enlightened people.

Claude Monet, "La Promenade" 1875

Form and colour and their connection to abstract art will be the elements that stand out in the work of the nine artists of the exhibition "Shape and Colour in Art Madrid". Thus, for the sculptor Carlos Evangelista, everything maintains a perfect order. His style is based on geometry, on the purity of simple forms and the multiple possibilities offered by the combinatorial development of simple modular units. Candela Muniozguren, for her part, proposes an intimate communication between her creative developments where minimalist shapes dominate and the multiplicity of chromatic effects. "Senbazuru", alludes to the old Japanese legend in which health is promised to anyone who manages to build a thousand origami cranes. For this, the artist combines the use of a single colour with the abstraction of planes, curves and diagonals that come together to result in a dazzling work that recalls those traditional Japanese folds.

Candela Muniozguren

Acid Bang 02, 2018

Lacquered steel

39 x 16cm

Candela Muniozguren

Territorios Lindantes 1, 2018

Lacquered steel

32 x 25cm

Carlos Evangelista

Encuadrados, 2017

Wood

40 x 40cm

On the other hand, Rafael Barrios plays with shapes altering the laws of geometry, fabled volumes in space. His sculptures rise above themselves defying the rules of space, relieving bodies subject to gravity. "Hondos" or "Mural" are identified by their dynamics, by their lightness, by force and by the magnetism that they print with the purpose of each of them reaching the spirit. And we can not forget, the playful use of the shape and colour that Willi Siber performs or the exploration of pigments used by the Sevillian artist Isabelita Valdecasas in Cosmogonías.

Isabelita Valdecasas

Cosmogonia Deep Blue, 2016

Mixed media on canvas

100 x 100cm

Willi Siber

Tafelobjekt, 2016

Metal, polyurethane and epoxy

116 x 104cm

Rafael Barrios

Hondos, 2016

Lacquered steel

83 x 64cm

The lines, shapes and colours of the language of the artist from Elche Ramón Urbán are born of the abstract and the poetic. It stands out the coexistence between the rotundity of the clean space drawing, of certain coldness, and the intense or soft footprint of the painting that lends warmth and ornament to the elemental form. In "Secret Artifice" the circles melt to confuse, lines that play with verticality, spheres unimaginable for their composition... they make Urbán's play a game of life and tranquillity.

Ramón Urbán

Secreto artificio, 2017

Synthetic enamel and rust on wood

160 x 45cm

As for painting, we have chosen works such as those in the series "Flights II" by Nanda Botella, where light, colour and strength represent the elements of expression for this artist. However, the ethereal colour palette used by the abstract painter Sylvie Lei produces disconcerting paintings that relate to the problematic nature of virtual reality in the contemporary social context.

Nanda Botella

Vuelos II, 2017

Oil, acrylic, linen and methacrylate

162 x 130cm

Sylvie Lei

Dimensional Sequence, 2017

Oil on canvas

70 x 50cm

For his part, the Catalan painter Gerard Fernández Rico turns the line into the true protagonist in "Through the line". A diverse and complex path which the artist approaches in a millimetric way as if he were looking through a microscope. A line that together with the explosion of colour generates a vibrant sensation, a fresh and dynamic air in each of its pieces.

Gerard Fernández Rico

Lila 001, 2018

Mixed media on board

130 x 110cm

Gerard Fernández Rico

Azul 001, 2018

Mixed media on board

129 x 108cm

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Art Madrid’25 presents One Shot Collectors, a program sponsored by One Shot Hotels that returns to the fair for the fifth consecutive edition with the mission of democratizing and promoting art collecting. Aimed at collectors, professionals in the sector, and new art lovers, the program seeks to bring the public closer to the works by offering an accessible approach supported by experts.

The program is led by Ana Suárez Gisbert, an art advisor with an outstanding track record in the art market. Her experience ranges from art valuation to personalized advisory services, helping participants find pieces that suit their tastes and budget. In addition, she combines her technical knowledge with a passion for sustainability, promoting responsible practices within the art market.


Art Madrid.19ª Edition. Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles. Courtesy image. Beatriz Maestre.


Art collecting is more than a hobby; it is a passion that goes beyond owning a piece. It involves an emotional, aesthetic, and personal journey that connects the collector with the history and creative process of the artist. A collection should evolve gradually, built over time and based on information aligned with our interests. The key is to enjoy the art, without feeling intimidated, and trusting in personal taste.

So, how do we decide what to focus on and where to direct our attention? Where do we start? How do we connect one purchase to the next? A good acquisition happens when we follow our personal tastes, learning to recognize what attracts and interests us, while staying informed before and during the process.


Professional advice from an expert is a safe and consistent way to make decisions. The collector not only seeks to enhance and maximize the quality and value of their collection but also to enrich the buying and enjoyment experience.


In the 20th edition of Art Madrid’25, a consulting space will be offered, led by Ana Suárez Gisbert, Art Advisor, a Law graduate, and a certified Art Appraiser with extensive experience in the art market. This service is designed for both experienced collectors and those looking for their first collectible piece, even for corporate collectors wishing to reflect their brand values through an art collection. The Art Madrid’25 collecting program adapts to different profiles, needs, and preferences, offering a personalized journey and guidance.


Our Art Advisor will find and prepare a selection of artworks based on the requirements and budget of each buyer, as well as assist in negotiating the acquisition.


Starting in art collecting can arise from a desire for knowledge and aesthetic, social, economic, or even business exploration.


At Art Madrid, we promote collecting for individuals and companies who wish to invest in patronage. This initiative is directed at a broad spectrum of profiles, for those who wish to start or continue their collection. Art Madrid offers a wide variety of works in areas such as photography, painting, sculpture, or installation, within a broad price range.


Whether you are an experienced collector, a beginner buyer, a curious enthusiast looking for your first piece, or a company interested in reflecting its values through art, the One Shot Collectors program offers a complete experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to find a work that meets all your expectations.


The advisory service is part of the One Shot Collectors, Collecting Program at Art Madrid’25 and is completely free for those who register in advance.

If you would like personalized advice, request more information via email at vip@art-madrid.com or sign up using the following form:


ABOUT ONE SHOT HOTELS. SPONSOR OF ART MADRID

One Shot Hotels is a boutique hotel chain that focuses on design, creativity, and prime locations in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, San Sebastián, and Porto. Since its foundation in 2013, the brand has built a unique identity in which art, culture, and beauty are essential parts of the guest experience. Each of its hotels is designed to be much more than just accommodation: they are soulful spaces where aesthetics and artistic sensitivity are integrated into every detail.

In line with this commitment, One Shot Hotels returns as a sponsor of Art Madrid, reaffirming its support for artistic creation in all its forms. The chain sees art as a universal language that connects people and transforms spaces, and this philosophy is reflected in the design of its hotels, the selection of furniture, and the arrangement of its environments. Creativity and inspiration are experienced in every corner, offering guests an experience that goes beyond the conventional.

With an eye on the future, One Shot Hotels continues to grow and expand its presence in new destinations, while maintaining its commitment to art and culture. More than a decorative element, art is part of its essence and value proposition, creating spaces where each stay becomes an aesthetic and emotional experience.


ABOUT ANA SUÁREZ GISBERT. ART ADVISOR OF THE PROGRAM

Ana Suárez Gisbert holds a law degree from the Complutense University of Madrid, specializing in International Law and Foreign Trade of Art. She is an appraiser and judicial expert in art and antiques from Antonio de Nebrija University. She is a partner at the art appraisal firm Art Value Project.

She has carried out valuation work for important collections and insurance companies. For years, she has represented major international publications in the arts and design world, such as Frieze, Frieze Masters, and Gagosian, among others. Currently, she combines her work at the art appraisal firm with a project focused on art and sustainability for private companies and local governments.





Sponsor of ART MADRID'25

One Shot Hotels