From the moment Manu Alguero put a pencil to paper, he knew he was destined to be an artist. He was born in Barcelona in 1976 and studied in the Art Academy Mataro. He went on to study Graphic Design in IDEP, Barcelona and Art & Fashion in San Martin, London. Manu knew that the best way to learn was to explore different cultures and interact with the experts in his field. He loved making sketches and exploring his passion, but he had to find something that was unique. He yearned to be part of the artistic world and wanted to stand out. Being just another painter wasn’t going to make him happy, and he continued to search for his true calling.
A big part of how Manu defines himself and his success is through his family. They own a demolition company, and he has spent plenty of time learning about the family business. The first time he saw a building get demolished, he was fascinated. He watched the bricks crumble and devolve, yet take a new shape that was beautiful and fresh. It was like new life had been breathed into the building even though it had been destroyed. He was amazed by the amount of power it took to both destroy what was old and create something new.
The act of demolition was as powerful as the Big Bang that created the glowing stars and massive planets. He knew then that he had to translate this power and story telling into his art. Destruction was not seen as a negative thing to him. It was a way to clear a path for something new and exciting. It created a blank slate for him to reinvent himself. Painting on a canvas was a thrilling experience, but it was nothing like being an active participant in molding pieces of a puzzle to create something with power rumbling through his fingertips. Art like this could not be forced. He had to embrace the spontaneity and unpredictable results of this type of art.
An explosion is the act of creating something new. It may cause a change to something old, but ultimately it is the beginning of what comes after the explosion. It’s a new chapter in a book and the evolution of life. Change is a natural state in life and Manu wants to express the beauty of change and new perspectives through his art. Through some exploration, Manu discovered the new movement of explosive art. He learned about artists that worked in this medium and did his best to understand the new direction that the art world was taking.
Of course, the best way for him to learn and perfect his craft was to act. He had to experiment with the variety of ideas bouncing around in his mind. He is a visionary that searches to break barriers and push boundaries in all aspects of his career. He’s not one to put limits on himself and be defined as only one thing. He is more than his sketches and he is more than a painter. He does not limit his creative mind because creativity is an endless journey with several paths to take. Being creative takes hard work and a passion that Manu has been fostering inside his heart for many years.
Manu works with many forms of art, all enveloped by the theme of explosion art. He creates paintings, sculptures, and dresses all with the edgy and vibrant technique that he has worked hard to make his own. Being a part of this new movement in the art world has increased his passion for creating stories through his pieces and sharing the uniqueness of his work. He expresses the origins of life and new beginnings with his art. He takes that memory of the falling building and transforms it into emotion, power, and an unshakeable inspiration to the viewers of what he creates.
He encourages viewers to use their imagination when looking at his paintings and feel in their souls what the painting is trying to tell them. Everyone has their own take on art, and that’s why his paintings are never truly complete. He wants people to see themselves in the art and take away something different each time they gaze upon it. Sharing his art is an interactive experience of the mind and heart. Many of his paintings are held in important museums like Museo Can Framis (Barcelona), Museo Art Contemporani Espais Volart (Barcelona), Museo Can Mario (Palafrugell, Girona), Museo Palau Solterra (Girona), Assilah Museum (Morocco).
He is also an award winner in art fairs in Tokyo, Oxford, and Amsterdam. Additionally, he won the Global Art Award for Newcomer Artist.