Art collector and avid traveler, he is interested in how contemporary art is influenced by different cultures. In his professional career, Pedro is a lawyer specialized in real estate and regulatory matters.
Did you make any new discoveries at Swab 2023?
Swab 2023 showcased a diverse range of contemporary artworks, providing attendees with the opportunity to encounter new artistic trends and expressions. While ‘discovery’ is subjective, the fair certainly presented a platform for new and emerging artists to gain visibility and recognition.
As a passionate traveler and lover of different cultures, how do you think globalization is affecting the art world? Do you see a homogenization of styles and themes, or do you think that unique and diversified discourses are still preserved and are still affecting the loss of cultural identity?
The concept of globalization often raises concerns about the possible loss of cultural identity as art continues to become more interconnected. But many artists are deeply committed to their cultural history and use their work in ways that keep their identity preserved and celebrated. Also, it is quite possible that the universal reach that globalization has given us acts, in essence, as a platform for more marginalized or underrepresented cultures to tell and challenge their stories in the face of the dominant narrative.
What aspects of Spanish artists would you highlight when compared to their international contemporaries?
Spanish artists often draw inspiration from the country’s rich artistic history, including the works of iconic figures such as Goya, Velázquez, and Picasso. This deep connection to the past infuses their work with a sense of tradition and continuity while also allowing for innovative reinterpretations of classical themes. Spanish artists are not afraid to push boundaries and explore new artistic frontiers. Whether embracing avant-garde movements like surrealism and abstraction or experimenting with cutting-edge technologies, Spanish artists often demonstrate a spirit of innovation and experimentation that places them at the forefront of contemporary art.
What are your predictions for new directions or trends in emerging art for the next few years?
Attempting to predict particular tendencies in emerging art is slippery, if not altogether speculative. I think the mutable nature of the art world resists such a task. However, I can think of some forces based on the current tendencies, which are directing emerging art. The last decade has seen the emergence of new fields in the realm of digital art, allowing artists to take off with other means of representing their arts. With technological advancement, most of these are likely to be experimented with using digital tools and platforms, and the debate will continue on how the stands impact the art market. Also, as time passes there’s an increasing threat to the environment connected with plenty of issues regarding environmental degradation and climate change, themes in regard to sustainability, ecology, and human interface with the environment have now become an overwhelming focus for a large number of artists.
Then there’s social justice and activism. Art stands beside major social and political movements, and surely, this will continue into the coming years. We could definitely expect so much more art about social justice, inequity, human rights, and lots of other bold projects to come forward and actually open up and really take the bull by the horns in terms of pressing social topics. I also think there will be an increase in interdisciplinary and collaborative art, bringing in visual, performance-related, musical, and technological materials. All of these “hybrid” works could easily challenge conventional ideas not only of artistic practice but also of many other perspectives, such as the ways in which these forms can be used for creating. In that spirit, one of the most important growing assertions from artists of ever more diverse backgrounds is about identity, representation, and cultural heritage. I believe we’re to expect more artistic representation of diversity and stereotype questioning. and finally, the most fascinating new trend is AI. I’m amazed by the use machine learning techniques and algorithms to create forms of art, as a piece of art in itself or a way to explore new aesthetic possibilities.
Could you tell us about the latest additions to your collection?
A large scale piece by Brazilian artist Marina Camargo and two very architectural works by historical Argentine artist Ricardo Hernandez.
Describe SWAB in 3 words:
1. Innovative
2. Diverse
3. Vibrant