Carlos Aires

Carlos Aires (b.1974, Malaga, Spain) is a multidisciplinary artist with an incisive critique of contemporary society and his profound exploration of power and its representations. His practice navigates the complex terrain where opposing forces converge; in which, together, become sides of a complex while defying a unitary whole. In his work, Aires constructs a playful yet tragic arena where pain and pleasure are not adversaries but rather co-conspirators, revealing the paradoxes that underpin human experience.

Rooted deeply in personal narratives and infatuation, Aires engages with the anomalies and contradictions of everyday life to challenge established societal norms and values. His art disrupts and recontextualizes icons, objects, and traditions drawn from the vast detritus of contemporary culture such as; vinyl records, banknotes, crockery, knives, sculptures, and archive photographs, imbuing them with new meanings and contexts. Paying homage to art history with his artistic practice and technique, Aires invites viewers to question their perceptions, luring them into a space where reality and illusion intertwine. Aires' work is a reflection on the emerging dynamics of global culture, exposing the contradictions and fragilities of modern society.

Visual cultures serve not only as a source of inspiration for Aries but also as a vessel for his exploration. His works frequently feature bronze sculptures that evoke icons or effigies, forms of vanitas and means of display like taxidermy; threading between material and ephemeral, life and death, sacred and profane.

Carlos Aires has completed his studies in Fine Arts from the University of Granada. Based in Madrid, Aires continued his training in Holland, Belgium and New York. He has received awards such as Generation 2008 from Caja Madrid and the Pont Museum Prize in Holland. He is also the first Spanish artist to receive the acclaimed national award; Prix de la Jeune Peinture Belge in 2005 (Belgium Art Prize)