At a glance
Large-scale works and technical experiments reveal how José Ramón Amondarain deconstructs the physical properties of paint to transform static images into tactile, organic structures.
Why go
It offers a rare chance to see how one of Spain's most technical contemporary painters uses the gallery space to challenge our perception of what a painting actually is.
You'll see
Acrylic paint skins · Large-format canvases · Abstract textures · Studies on materiality · Technical deconstructions
Pace of visit
The gallery layout allows for a focused walkthrough, though the intricate textures invite you to pause and look closely at the surfaces.
Don't miss
The translucent acrylic films that the artist 'peels' from surfaces, treating paint as a three-dimensional object rather than a flat medium.
Artlovers Tip
Look at the edges of the canvases and the suspended works; Amondarain often leaves clues about his process, revealing the layers and physical depth of the paint itself.
Inside the exhibition
Meet the artist
Description
More Than Living presents a selection of recent works by José Ramón Amondarain at Galería Fernando Pradilla in Madrid, Spain. The exhibition centers on the artist’s career-long investigation into the essence of painting and the vitality of the image, moving beyond traditional representation to treat the medium as a living, breathing material.
Visitors will encounter a range of formats that highlight Amondarain’s technical versatility, from expansive canvases to his signature 'paint skins.' These works showcase his method of manipulating acrylics to create textures that mimic organic tissues or architectural residues, effectively deconstructing the history of the medium through a contemporary, analytical lens.
This show is significant for its focus on the 'expanded field' of painting, where the boundary between two-dimensional image and three-dimensional object disappears. By bringing these pieces together in Madrid, the exhibition provides a comprehensive look at how Amondarain bridges the gap between conceptual rigor and the purely sensory experience of color and form.
Worth travelling for?
A rewarding stop for those interested in the technical limits of contemporary painting and the intersection of abstraction and materiality.
Experience as an Artlover
The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00, and Saturdays from 11:00 to 20:00. Admission is free, and the space is located in the heart of the Salamanca district.
