Sergio Aranda

"I paint the memory of materials"

Contemporary Abstract Artist Based in Barcelona

I am Sergio Aranda, a Spanish-Swiss contemporary abstract artist based in Barcelona, creating richly textured mixed media paintings inspired by architecture, material transformation, and the beauty of imperfection.

Having lived and worked in cities such as Geneva, Madrid, Paris, and Barcelona, I have developed a visual language shaped by architecture, cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and a lifelong fascination with materials. My background in design, gemology, and artisanal creation continues to influence my artistic approach to texture, form, and material transformation.

Through layered surfaces, tactile materials, and experimental techniques, I explore themes of time, memory, erosion, and renewal. My work seeks to reveal the hidden beauty of transformation, creating contemporary artworks that invite contemplation and a deeper connection with matter, place, and emotion.

Extended Biography 

Sergio Aranda is a Barcelona-based contemporary abstract artist whose work explores texture, material transformation, and the beauty of imperfection. Known for his richly layered mixed media paintings, he creates tactile surfaces that invite viewers to engage with the physical presence of the artwork as much as its visual language.

Inspired by architecture, weathered walls, natural erosion, and the passage of time, Aranda develops paintings that reveal the expressive potential of materials themselves. His work is deeply influenced by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, embracing authenticity, impermanence, and the quiet beauty found in irregularity and transformation.

Working primarily with acrylics and mixed media, he builds complex surfaces through multiple layers, handmade textures, and experimental techniques. Rather than depicting specific subjects, his paintings focus on atmosphere, depth, and material presence, encouraging contemplation and personal interpretation.

Barcelona plays an important role in his artistic vision. The city's architectural heritage, historic textures, Mediterranean light, and cultural richness continue to inform his visual language. These influences merge with his fascination for organic processes and material evolution, creating works that feel both contemporary and timeless.

Before dedicating himself entirely to contemporary art, Aranda developed a successful career in design and gemology, working as an HRD diamond expert and designer between Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and Geneva. This experience cultivated a profound appreciation for craftsmanship, balance, composition, and material sensitivity—qualities that remain fundamental to his artistic practice today.

His work is held in private collections across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. Through his paintings, Sergio Aranda seeks to create meaningful connections between matter, memory, texture, and emotion, offering artworks that celebrate transformation, authenticity, and the enduring beauty of the handmade.

Early Career — Design, Gemology & Material Sensitivity

Before dedicating himself entirely to contemporary art, Sergio Aranda developed a successful career in jewelry design and gemology, working as an HRD diamond expert and designer between Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and Geneva.

This formative period fostered a profound understanding of materials, craftsmanship, balance, composition, and attention to detail. Working with precious objects, historical artifacts, architectural influences, and handcrafted surfaces nurtured the visual sensitivity that continues to shape his artistic practice today.

Although his creative focus eventually evolved from jewelry design to contemporary abstract painting and mixed media art, the influence of those years remains deeply embedded in his work. His fascination with texture, material transformation, layered surfaces, and the beauty of imperfection can be traced back to a lifelong engagement with making and creating by hand.

Today, these experiences find a new expression in his paintings, where texture, matter, memory, and emotion converge to create richly tactile works that reflect both the discipline of craftsmanship and the freedom of contemporary artistic exploration.

Barcelona Store

Architectural and Urban Influence in Design

Pacifier Line

Redesign is an ongoing exploration of transformation, craftsmanship, and creative renewal. Through this process, overlooked, worn, or discarded materials are carefully reimagined and given a new purpose. Historical objects, noble materials, and handcrafted elements are transformed into contemporary creations that preserve their original character while embracing a new visual identity.

Rooted in a deep appreciation for material, texture, and design, these works reflect a commitment to sustainability, artistic reinvention, and the belief that beauty can emerge through transformation. Each piece becomes a dialogue between past and present, where history, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity converge.

Inspired by the distinctive geometry and architectural character of Barcelona, this design reflects the city's iconic urban planning and visual harmony. Its composition draws from the chamfered corners, balanced proportions, and rhythmic grid structure that define Barcelona’s historic layout, transforming these elements into a refined contemporary creation.

By translating architectural forms into design, the piece establishes a dialogue between heritage and modernity, capturing the elegance, order, and creative spirit that have long shaped the identity of Barcelona.

• Permanent artist represented by Panot Gallery, Carrer del Comerç 17, 08003 Barcelona, Spain (from October 2025)
• Permanent artist represented by Galeria Maxó, Carrer de la Princesa 38, 08003 Barcelona, Spain (since August 2025)
• David CHA Gallery, 51 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France (from August 2021)
• Galerie Sonia Monti, 6 Avenue Delcassé, 75008 Paris, France (March 2021 – May 2021)
• Taxie Gallery, 19 Rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris, France (August 2020 – September 2020)
• Galería Blanca Mayoral, Calle de la Reina 6, 40100 La Granja de San Ildefonso, Spain (December 2019 – August 2020)
• Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, Zubieta Kalea 2, 20007 San Sebastián, Spain (August 2019)
• ArtGalerio, Calle Alcántara 44, 28006 Madrid, Spain (June 2016 – May 2020)
• Hôtel Westin Palace, Plaza de las Cortes 7, 28014 Madrid, Spain (December 2018)
• ArtGalerio, Carrer de Roger de Llúria 93, 08006 Barcelona, Spain (October 2017 – January 2019)