ABOUT ME
“Cada atardecer es un mundo, yo solo estoy aquí para capturarlo.”
Alan Durst is a Mexican-born architect and contemporary artist whose work reflects a profound aesthetic sensitivity and innovative vision. Born on January 2, 1997, in Mexico City, Alan studied Architecture in Mexico before moving to Madrid, where he completed his Master’s in Architecture, a city that would become a pivotal point in his creative journey.
It was in Madrid where Alan discovered a new source of inspiration that transformed a latent curiosity into a true artistic vocation. Over the last year and a half, he began exploring contemporary art, merging architecture with geometric art. His work is characterized by a vibrant exploration of color, form, light, and human scale, offering a powerful, minimalist visual language that aims to generate deep emotional connections. Alan’s pieces offer more than just visual pleasure; they invite personal reflection, creating a space of pause and introspection.
In this short yet intense period, Alan has gained significant international recognition, completing over 35 original art sales directly through online platforms, cultivating genuine relationships with collectors from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, the United States, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, and Panama.
THE CONCEPT
His works, created primarily in acrylic and graphite, explore themes such as introspection, renewal, silence, and the emotional power of simplicity. The technique always serves a deeper intention, transforming each piece into an emotional space where the interaction between void, shadow, and color invites reflection and reconnection with the present moment.
The concept behind Alan's work symbolizes transition, calm, and hope. His pieces communicate the emotional power of simplicity through minimalist compositions that transcend traditional boundaries between architecture and visual art. Drawing from artists who have used color and form to express emotion, Alan’s work is unique in that it creates a deep connection between the tangible and intangible. His art is not just about observation, but about inviting the viewer to experience their emotions through an intimate and meaningful process.
Alan’s practice is focused on the human experience and the transformative power of art. His works are spaces for introspection, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect. Each piece offers a pathway toward personal transformation, connecting with universal human experiences through a refined visual language.
Q & A
Get to know me better
Because art is also about connection. Here are a few questions I often get (and a few I just like answering). If you made it here, take your time, get comfy — welcome to my world.
1. What do you do when you’re not making art? And what would you do if one day you couldn’t?
When I’m not painting, I’m probably hanging out with friends, hiking, hitting up some rooftop, working out, meditating… or binging Marvel and The Hunger Games (guilty). But to be honest, even when I’m “off,” my brain’s still in art mode. I’m constantly looking for new ideas, getting inspired, planning what’s next. I overthink everything, in the best way.
If I ever couldn’t make art anymore? That would be tough. Art is what gives me purpose, it’s what keeps me grounded and energized. But if that ever happened, I’d still find another way to express creativity — maybe through architecture, or some other path where I can keep creating and sharing. I honestly don’t know how to live without that.
2. If your 15-year-old self saw you today, what would they say?
He’d probably be like, “WTF is happening?” because this is definitely not what he imagined. But once he got it, I think he’d be proud. Drawing and painting have always been things I loved, even if I never thought I could actually make a life out of it. So realizing that something I didn’t even know was a dream is now my reality? That’s wild — in the best way.
3. Was there an exact moment when you said, “Yeah, this is it”?
There were a few. One of the biggest ones was in May 2023, when I painted my first-ever piece — it was for some friends, super spontaneous. But it lit something in me. I just kept going from there, and I haven’t stopped since.
Another major turning point was the first time I showed my work in public. It was this little art market at a hotel. I had zero idea if people would even look at my stuff, let alone buy it. But then… someone bought a piece. That changed everything. It wasn’t about the money — it was about someone connecting with something I created. That hit deep.
Also, I’ve worked in several architecture studios, and honestly… it never really clicked. The experiences weren’t awful, but something always felt off, like I was forcing it. But when I’m creating art, everything just flows. Ideas, opportunities, people — it all aligns. It’s like the universe is gently (or sometimes not-so-gently) nudging me in this direction. And I’m listening.
4. What do you want to say with your art, and where do you dream it’ll go?
My art is about being present. About living with intention, enjoying life without stepping on anyone else’s path. It’s about making the most of what we’ve got — connecting, creating, slowing down a bit, and being real.
What makes me happiest is when people tell me that my art helped them reconnect with themselves. That it gave them a sense of peace, or helped them feel something they hadn’t felt in a while. That’s the kind of impact I want to keep having.
And yeah, I dream big. I want my art to reach everywhere. Each piece holds something personal — a part of me — and it’s amazing to think that someone across the world could feel that. Japan is high on the list. I feel like people there have such deep respect for aesthetics and detail, and I’d love to see how they’d connect with my work. But really, I just want to keep building new kinds of experiences — immersive, meaningful, a little unexpected — and take them around the world.
5. What’s your red flag and green flag as an artist?
Red flag: I’m a perfectionist, straight up. If something doesn’t feel right, I’ll redo the whole thing from scratch. No shortcuts.
And when it comes to original custom pieces — I only take them on if I really connect with the idea. If someone comes to me with a concept that doesn’t inspire me or doesn’t feel like something I can translate authentically, I’ll say no. Not because I don’t care — it’s the opposite. I care too much to create something that doesn’t feel real to me. I put so much of myself into every piece that I have to be selective. I can’t — and won’t — create just for the sake of creating.
Green flag: But when I do connect with something? I’m all in. I pour every bit of energy, emotion, and intention into it. I don’t paint just to fill a wall — I create something that will live on for years and hold real meaning. And I think people feel that. I’ve been told that my pieces carry a certain energy — something calm, healing, joyful, grounding.
If a painting of mine can make someone stop, feel something, or reconnect with themselves… then I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.