Armando Mesías (b. 1986, Cali, Colombia) is an artist currently based in Madrid, Spain. His creative journey reflects a rich interplay between the urban landscapes that surround us and the intimate, personal experiences that shape our identities. Armando’s work focuses on large-scale abstract textile pieces, often integrating found fabrics, oxidation processes, and unconventional materials to explore themes of time, decay, and transformation.
Although Armando has created art throughout his life, he initially pursued a career in industrial design, graduating from Icesi University in 2009. His academic background in design provided him with a unique approach to composition, blending the logic of design thinking with his self-taught artistic skills. His education continued at the prestigious University of the Arts London (UAL) in Camberwell, where he obtained a Master’s in Illustration. He then honed his craft at the Barcelona Academy of Art, immersing himself in traditional painting and drawing techniques.
Armando’s artistic practice has been deeply shaped by his experiences as an immigrant, as well as by the juxtaposition of growing up in a developing country while being influenced by European and American cultures. These contrasts are present in his work, where intention meets accident, and where personal history intersects with broader social and cultural dynamics.
His art has been exhibited internationally, with solo exhibitions at Galerie Ground in Los Angeles and New York, including notable shows such as “A Power Reverse Ritual” (2023, New York), “No Garden Looks The Same Twice” (2023, Los Angeles), and “The Curse of Knowledge” (2022, Los Angeles). He has also held exhibitions in Madrid and Tokyo, further establishing his global presence.
Armando's work has garnered the attention of private collectors such as Mike Amiri, Adria Arjona, and Andy McCune. He has participated in numerous artist residencies, including Villa Lena in Italy, Poco a Poco in Mexico, and Almost Perfect in Tokyo, with pieces from each residency becoming part of their permanent collections.
Beyond his artistic practice, Armando remains engaged with a broad community of creatives—filmmakers, architects, writers, and designers—whose perspectives enrich his exploration of materials and concepts. His works invite viewers to reflect on the subtle, often overlooked aspects of urban decay and the fluid nature of human identity.