Alex de Marcos Proposes Neocostumbrismo Manifesto for Painting the Present

Alex de Marcos advocates for a Neocostumbrismo manifesto, positioning figurative painting as an act of resistance in an art world saturated with immaterial, instantly reproducible images. He describes painting the present in a rapidly changing world where people still crave simple human connections like looking, talking, and being close to others. His oil paintings, characterized by improvisation, focus on everyday scenes, giving material presence and weight to reality. These works blend physical stillness with parallel realities where the virtual and physical merge. The artist's approach transforms images into objects with lasting significance, moving beyond simple portraiture to capture contemporary life. De Marcos's practice emphasizes slowness, error, and texture as meaningful elements. His paintings invite contemplation of realities that extend beyond the visual, asserting the importance of the present moment. The manifesto was discussed in an article dated April 15, 2026.