Alejandro Goldberg Discusses Painting's Enduring Presence and Upcoming Tokyo Installation

Mexican painter Alejandro Goldberg, based in Jerusalem, reflects on his artistic practice following recent presentations at Art Capital in Paris's Grand Palais and Art Madrid. His work navigates between direct observation and an intuitive dimension, where images extend beyond mere physical appearance. Goldberg describes all his paintings—whether landscapes, still lifes, or near-abstract forms—as portraits seeking to capture an intangible presence rather than just likeness. His artistic development has been shaped by living across distinct cultural contexts: Mexico's vibrant color, the United States' cooler artificiality, Europe's observational tradition, and Jerusalem's defined artistic lineage. There, he connects to figures like Gustave Courbet, Edwin Dickinson, and his teacher, the internationally recognized figurative artist Israel Hershberg. In an era favoring conceptual or digital art, Goldberg champions painting's unique capacity to convey presence, perception, and experience through the human hand. He believes in its ancient yet fully relevant communicative power. His recent Madrid exhibition is viewed not as an isolated event but as continuity within an expanding trajectory. Goldberg aims for a genuine public connection through direct, sustained engagement with the artwork. He is currently developing new projects, including a sound installation, with part of this work scheduled for presentation at Hillside Forum in Tokyo from June 22 to July 6, 2026.