I also saw an artist in Art Madrid who I find very playful and fun – Samuel Salcedo. He makes half animal / half human figures. Lidia Masllorens is another artist who I love, but she is completely different. Her work, painting the faces of women, is not only beautiful, but deeply moving. I know her from an Art and Antiques curator in Barcelona who has an amazing gallery. If you are ever in Barcelona and in need of some culture go and see Miquel Alzueta.
In JustMAD, an emerging art fair where you can find much more forgiving prices, I found an artist who I knew from another fair: Fernando Daza. He makes paintings from little paper bits. An artist completely new to me is Santiago Picatoste. I actually got to meet him – he paints the sea and islands in beautiful vivid colours. Going to these fairs and having the opportunity to find out first-hand about the artists and what they were feeling or thinking at the time is hugely enriching.
Finally, finishing with ARCO, you can find famous artists such as Plensa with his sculptures of faces. An artist I didn’t previously know, but who I definitely want to work with on my next project is Pablo Reinoso. He makes amazing benches out of wood and steel (my favourite materials!!) with the benches extending with what seems like spaghetti arms going off towards the sides, up or anywhere you want. I can imagine a boutique hotel with a sweet garden and one of Pablo’s wooden benches with the side extending like a plant that intertwines itself and grows up the side of the building.
The best thing about art for me is the way it can give an instant pop of colour and life to your rooms. Art can also be incredible conversation starters when you have guests or just amazing decorative pieces for you to enjoy when you sit in your favourite armchair with your favourite glass of something :).
Look at my art section in Instagram for more pictures!
