Painting, in its most classical sense, has traditionally been considered a representative medium of human creativity, defined by the support, pigments, and figure. However, contemporary art has pushed this concept toward a radical redefinition. What was once a two-dimensional surface limited to visual representation has transformed into a multisensory experience involving space, time, and interaction. In this context, expanded painting emerges as a field of experimentation that invites us to reconsider the boundaries between disciplines and traditional forms of art-making.

In its origins, painting was conceived as an act of representation; a visual medium whose primary function was to capture reality through images. From the Renaissance to Impressionism, artists developed techniques and approaches aimed at increasingly accurate depictions of nature, the human body, and light.

Paco Díaz. TDE Carne y Piedra. Oil on paper glued to wood. 50 x 50 cm. 2024.

The history of painting was marked by an obsession with perspective, proportion, and harmony. However, as we move into the 20th century, avant-garde movements began to challenge these conventions. Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstraction introduced new ways of conceiving the pictorial act, which was no longer confined to imitating reality but aspired to deconstruct and reconfigure it. This break from visual tradition was merely the beginning of a series of transformations that would lead painting into previously unexplored territories.

Expanded painting, a term coined to describe this evolution, refers to the broadening of the medium’s possibilities in both materiality and context. Experimentation with new supports, the fusion of media, and the dissolution of boundaries between painting, sculpture, architecture, and performance are some of the most prominent aspects of this trend. Instead of being confined to canvas or panel, contemporary artists have incorporated materials such as wood, plastic, metal, glass, and even digital elements.

Alexander Grahovsky. The Unbreakable Will of the Spirit. Oil, spray paint, and colored pencils on canvas. 46 x 61 cm. 2024.

The flat surface has given way to a broader, more three-dimensional concept of space, where painting inhabits not only the support but also the surrounding space, inviting direct interaction from the viewer. Many of these breakthroughs can be seen in the works of artists who use heavy and textured materials to endow their two-dimensional pieces with a sculptural quality. The notion of painting as an object has disappeared in favor of a spatial experience encompassing both the visible and the conceptual.

Luis Miguel Rico. Untitled from the Sand Series. Oil on linen. 140 x 100 cm. 2024.

In this same vein of boundary expansion is Luis Miguel Rico, who, through a series of material explorations combining pigments, fabrics, and textures, addresses the relationship between color and space, seeking a balance between the emotional and the formal. His work focuses on transforming the traditional canvas, inviting viewers to reconsider the potential of painting as a three-dimensional expressive medium.

Jan Schüler. Dresden Die Elbe Bei Wachwitz. Oil on linen. 70 x 90 cm. 2024.

Jan Schüler, on the other hand, acts as a bridge between classical and contemporary painting. His introspective approach, where portraits and landscapes transcend mere visual representation, highlights the viewer’s interaction with the work. Through direct gazes that meet the viewer’s eyes, the characters in his portraits challenge the traditional conception of painting as a passive medium, inviting emotional and personal reflection.

César Goce. Liquid Shadows. Oil on wood. 58 x 42 cm. 2023.

César Goce, blending graffiti influences with traditional painting, brings expanded painting into his own dimension by integrating urban art with academic techniques. His approach aligns with the dissolution of disciplinary boundaries, incorporating graffiti, a contemporary medium, within a studio format that could be considered traditional. This reflects the process of expanded painting, where contemporary artists blur the lines of mediums to create a hybrid experience.

The expansion of the pictorial medium pertains not only to the choice of materials but also to the redefinition of what we understand as "painting." In this context, painting is no longer limited to representing the real or visible but becomes a field for exploring the invisible, the subjective, and the emotional. Instead of working within a single perspective or defined style, contemporary artists operate with multiple languages, where process and creative action become essential elements of the work. Spontaneity, error, improvisation, and the deconstruction of gesture have been integrated into pictorial practice, generating works that invite not only contemplation but also active reflection on the nature of art.

Federico Uribe. Still Life. Bullet casings. 65 x 75 cm. 2020.

Federico Uribe, through his assemblages of everyday objects, offers a radically different vision of expanded painting. While he does not adhere directly to traditional painting, his use of unconventional materials such as bullet casings and pieces of colored pencils creates a point of contact between painting, sculpture, and nature. Uribe’s reinterpretation of common objects relates to the expansion of painting beyond the canvas, suggesting a new way of thinking about the medium and its function.

The use of unconventional supports and the incorporation of performative elements are also fundamental aspects of expanded painting. By moving painting out of its traditional space, artists invite the viewer to engage more actively and participate in the work.

The advent of digital technologies has provided artists with a new palette of possibilities. Painting, understood as an action or process, can now simultaneously involve both digital and traditional creation, demonstrating that painting need not be bound to a single medium. This digital integration not only expands the painter’s tools but also raises questions about the very essence of art: must painting retain its physical and material character to remain painting, or can it transcend into the virtual and ephemeral without losing its essence?

CHOU Ching-Hui. A Promised Land: The Planet of Angels No.9. Inkjet print. 148 x 290.8 cm. 2023.

Chou Ching-Hui’s photographic approach also aligns with the idea of expanding the boundaries of traditional art. His transition from photojournalism to artistic photography shows how the photographic medium can interact with pictorial works, creating a new way of experiencing and reflecting on reality. Ching-Hui’s transformation of the real into the conceptual in his projects is a clear manifestation of expanded painting, now integrating other visual disciplines.

In this sense, expanded painting is defined not only by technical or material innovation but by a more philosophical approach to art. By eliminating the barriers between disciplines and expanding the boundaries of the medium, contemporary artists challenge our conceptions of art’s role in society. Painting, rather than being a closed and static process, becomes an open practice, in constant dialogue with its environment and its audience. Painting is no longer just a transcription of reality but an active intervention in it.

Alexander Grahovsky. If Only You Were as Prickly as a Thistle. Oil, spray paint, and colored pencils on canvas. 33 x 41 cm. 2024.

In the case of Alexander Grahovsky, his surrealist pictorial treatment merges the classical with the contemporary, combining figurative elements with the dreamlike. His work invites continual reflection on what lies beyond the surface, dissolving the boundaries of representation in an approach that resonates with the concept of expanded painting.

Tiffany Alfonseca. The Barbie You Can’t Buy in Stores. 183 x 152 cm. Acrylic, pencils, glitter, and rhinestones on canvas. 2023.

Meanwhile, Tiffany Alfonseca transcends the traditional sense of painting as well. Her vibrant portraits not only depict Afro-diasporic communities but also provoke reflection on themes of race, identity, and representation. Through her work, painting becomes a vehicle for amplifying historically silenced voices, transforming the pictorial act into a social and political intervention that invites viewers to experience more than just the visual.

Paco Díaz. RIBERA. Oil on paper glued to wood. 50 x 50 cm. 2024.

Paco Díaz, with his conceptual and reflective work, emphasizes the relationship between viewer and artwork, creating space for reflection on the personal, collective, and political. By focusing on the everyday, he invites us to reconsider life’s simplest elements through painting imbued with emotion and meaning. His compositions play with nostalgia and memory, creating works that are both a tribute to the commonplace and an exploration of the self.

Iyán Castaño. Circular Currents. Experimental graphics on canvas. 130 x 100 cm. 2024.

Iyán Castaño demonstrates how painting adapts to the contemporary era, where printmaking techniques, direct landscape intervention, and the exploration of social and personal themes offer a broad field for artistic reflection. By working with the changing conditions of the sea, he integrates nature into his work in a way that blurs the lines between painting and environmental intervention.

Antonio Ovejero. The Tomato Can. Oil and acrylic on board. 50 x 35 cm. 2024.

Antonio Ovejero’s unique fusion of kitsch and popular elements challenges traditional conceptions of painting. His work explores tensions between the banal and the artistic, creating a space where kitsch acquires aesthetic and critical relevance. Ovejero prompts viewers to question the relationship between art and popular culture, reflecting on nostalgia, consumerism, and the aesthetics of the everyday.

Paco Dalmau. A Borderline of Gules. Mixed media on canvas over board. 36 x 36 cm. 2024.

Paco Dalmau, on the other hand, delves into the relationship between color and form in contemporary painting. His work is characterized by a profound exploration of these elements, where structure and composition become vehicles of communication. Dalmau deconstructs traditional painting, leading viewers to a sensory experience where color and form are perceived not only visually but also emotionally, expanding the medium’s boundaries toward greater viewer interaction.

Painting has ceased to be a medium confined to visual representation and has become a discipline in constant expansion. By questioning what we understand as pictorial art, expanded painting not only broadens the boundaries of its discipline but also invites deeper reflection on the role of art in understanding the world. In conclusion, contemporary painting has evolved into a space of unprecedented creative freedom. Expanded painting redefines the boundaries between disciplines, materials, and meanings, inviting both artists and viewers to participate in an active reflection on the nature of art and its relationship with society. Far from being a closed discipline, painting today presents itself as an open field, in constant dialogue with the present and its infinite possibilities.

Contemporary art has ceased to be an exclusive territory reserved for elites and has become an increasingly democratic and accessible space. In the context of fairs such as Art Madrid, which in 2026 brings together more than 200 artists from five continents, a new generation of collectors is emerging—one that challenges the traditional codes of the art market. But how do you make the leap from admirer to collector? What do you need to know before acquiring your first artwork?

The image of the art collector has historically been associated with great fortunes, multimillion-euro auctions, and inaccessible masterpieces. However, this perception is changing radically. Today’s contemporary art market offers a wide range of proposals that suit virtually any budget, from works by emerging artists to limited editions by established creators. .

At Art Madrid, for example, galleries presenting young talents coexist with those representing artists with consolidated careers. This diversity allows first-time buyers to find meaningful works without needing unlimited capital. What matters is not how much you invest, but why you do it, and how that piece resonates with your life, your space, and your concerns.

Experience in the art world shows that a collection is not defined by the monetary value of the works it contains, but by the coherence and strength of the narrative they build together. Understanding this frees emerging collectors from the pressure to succeed according to investment logic and encourages them to rely on their own aesthetic judgment and the emotional connection they establish with the works.

HOW TO START A COLLECTION

Define Your Orientation: Passion vs. Investment

Before acquiring your first work, it is essential to ask yourself what you are looking for in collecting. There are two main approaches which, although they can coexist, lead down different paths:

Collecting driven by passion is guided by emotional connection, aesthetic pleasure, and the desire to live surrounded by works that speak to you. This approach is more intuitive and personal and, paradoxically, often proves to be more successful economically in the long term because it is rooted in genuine conviction.

Collecting as an investment requires more technical knowledge of the market, monitoring trends, understanding artists’ and galleries’ trajectories, and having a strategic vision. Although art has proven to be an interesting alternative investment—especially in times of economic uncertainty—it requires patience and a tolerance for risk.

Most successful collectors combine both dimensions: they buy what moves them, while also developing a critical eye to identify works with potential for appreciation. The key is not to be driven solely by market opportunism, because art that does not move you is unlikely to hold your interest when trends change.

EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING

Knowledge is your best tool. Before acquiring works, take time to:

Visit exhibitions regularly. Not only in commercial galleries, but also in museums, independent spaces, and art centers. This will help you develop your own aesthetic criteria and understand which proposals truly resonate with you.

Research artists. Read about their careers, influences, and creative processes. In the digital age, most artists are present on social media, where they share daily work, sketches, and reflections. This transparency makes it easier to connect more deeply with their practice.

Understand the market. Observe prices in different galleries, learn what factors influence valuation (artist’s career, technique, dimensions, limited edition versus unique piece), and become familiar with how galleries and fairs operate.

Talk to gallerists. Gallerists are essential allies. Their job is not only to sell, but to educate, connect, and build long-term relationships. A good gallerist will guide you toward works that match your interests and accompany you in the development of your collection.

EVALUATING A WORK: BEYOND “I LIKE IT”

When a work captures your attention, it is important to go beyond the initial emotional impression and ask yourself some key questions:

Coherence in the Artist’s Trajectory

Is this work part of a sustained line of research, or is it an isolated experiment? Artists with coherent proposals over time tend to have greater projection. Look for a logical evolution in their work, participation in relevant exhibitions, awards or grants, and representation by established galleries.

This does not mean you should reject the work of very young or highly experimental artists. On the contrary, some of the greatest successes in collecting come from early support of emerging talents. However, such a bet should be based on informed intuition, not mere novelty.

Technical and Conceptual Quality

Contemporary art has greatly expanded the boundaries of what we consider “technique,” incorporating everything from installation to digital art. Nevertheless, each discipline has its own standards of excellence. A painting should demonstrate mastery of color, composition, and material; a sculpture, an understanding of space and materials; a photograph, control of light and framing; a conceptual work, rigor in the development of the idea.

Beyond technique, ask yourself: What is this work saying? Does it offer an original perspective on something that interests me? Is there conceptual depth, or is it purely decorative? There are no absolute right answers, but asking these questions will help you make more conscious decisions.

Suitability for the Space

A practical but fundamental consideration: where will this work live? Art needs room to breathe, appropriate light, and a context that enhances it. A monumental work can feel overwhelming in a small apartment, while an intimate piece may get lost in a large space. Many galleries offer virtual visualization services or even temporary loans so you can experience the work in your space before committing.

Practical Aspects of Collecting

When you acquire a work, you should receive:

Certificate of authenticity: A document signed by the artist or gallery that certifies the authorship of the piece, its dimensions, technique, year of creation, and, in the case of editions, its number within the edition.

Invoice: Legally required and essential for proving ownership and purchase value, particularly relevant for insurance and potential resale.

Conservation information: Each technique and material requires specific care. Ask how the work should be preserved (light, humidity, temperature conditions) and whether it needs periodic maintenance.

Insurance and Protection: Even if your collection is just beginning, it is advisable to take out specific insurance for artworks. Most home insurance policies do not adequately cover this type of asset. There are specialized policies that protect against theft, accidental damage, fire, and other risks, with reasonable premiums for modest collections.

In addition to insurance, consider basic conservation measures: avoid hanging works in areas with excessive humidity, direct sunlight, or sudden temperature changes. For works on paper (photographs, prints, drawings), framing with UV-protective glass and acid-free matting is essential.

Legal and Tax Advice

In Spain, artworks have a specific tax treatment. The applicable VAT rate is 21%, although there are exemptions in certain cases. If your collection grows and you eventually decide to sell pieces, you will need to consider the tax implications of capital gains. For larger collections, it can be useful to consult advisors specialized in artistic heritage, who can guide you on tax benefits (donations to museums, long-term loans), inheritance planning, and asset protection structures.

Building Relationships Within the Art Ecosystem

Collecting is not a solitary activity, but a deeply social one. Some tips for integrating into the community:

Attend openings and events. Exhibition openings are opportunities to meet artists, other collectors, critics, and curators. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or express genuine interest.

Join collectors’ associations. Many cities have organized groups that arrange studio visits, talks with experts, and trips to international fairs. These spaces facilitate learning and networking.

Be loyal to your galleries. If a gallery has advised you well and you feel comfortable with its program, maintain the relationship long-term. Gallerists tend to reserve the best pieces or opportunities for their regular collectors.

Value Beyond Price

Finally, it is important to remember that the true value of collecting goes beyond economics. Living with art transforms everyday spaces into places of reflection and beauty. A work on your wall is a daily reminder of an emotion, an idea, a vision of the world that once moved you enough to want to live with it.

Collecting is also a way of actively participating in the cultural ecosystem. When you buy the work of an emerging artist, you help them continue creating. When you support an independent gallery, you help sustain spaces of experimentation. When you lend your works for an exhibition or eventually donate them to a public institution, you contribute to the collective heritage

At fairs like Art Madrid, where proposals from different generations, geographies, and artistic languages coexist, you have the opportunity to explore, compare, and discover. There is no rush. Collecting is a long-term journey in which each acquisition is a chapter in a personal story you are building. The key is to begin with curiosity, humility, and the certainty that art, more than a luxury, is a necessity that profoundly enriches life.