ABOUT ME
Alan Durst is an architect and contemporary artist born in Mexico, whose work reflects a deep aesthetic sensibility and an 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. Alongside his artistic practice, he remains active as an architect, collaborating on interior design, retail, and luxury projects.
It was in Madrid where Alan discovered a new source of inspiration that turned a latent curiosity into a genuine artistic vocation. Since mid-2023, he has been exploring contemporary art, merging architecture with geometric art. His work is defined by a vibrant exploration of color, form, light, and human scale, offering a striking, minimalist visual language.
Over these three years, more than 50 pieces have found new homes across 9 countries: Mexico, Spain, the United States, Argentina, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, Panama, and Guatemala.
THE CONCEPT
His pieces, created with acrylic (a formula he develops himself) and graphite, explore themes of introspection, renewal, and transition. Alan paints light over shadow, never erasing it completely. It's a technique that is also his philosophy: light and shadow always coexist, and his work doesn't try to resolve that tension, it holds it.
His pieces aren't meant to generate a feeling in you, they remind you that you already carry it. The real work of transformation belongs to the viewer; Alan offers the space, not a packaged answer.
A signature you'll recognize across every collection: geometry as a base language, strong contrast between light and shadow, color always with vibrant accents, and his iconic little figures inhabiting each piece.
ARTISTIC CV
2026 — Groove It, exhibition · Hotel Mondrian Mexico City Condesa, Mexico City
2026 — XXXIV Obra Plástica de los Arquitectos · COAM, Madrid
2026 — Galería Óscar Román, group exhibition · Mexico City (summer)
2026 — DEZA, group exhibition · Alonso Cano 103, Madrid
2025 — Galería Óscar Román, group exhibition · Mexico City (fall)
2025 — Golden Hour, exhibition · Galera 32, Mexico City
2024 — THRESHOLDS, exhibition · Baluarte Gallery, Madrid
2024 — Exhibition · Oculto Gallery, Madrid
2024 — Pagan Geometry, duo exhibition · Earth Gallery, Madrid
2024 — Contemporary Art Fair · Artista 360, Madrid
2023-2024 — Group exhibition (x2) · Fúcar 22 Gallery, Madrid
IN THE PRESS
Milenio · Máspormás · Fusilerías · The Front Magazine
"Alan Durst reimagines Queen and Madonna in Groove It" — Milenio
Interview on Groove It, the tension between euphoria and emptiness in pop culture, and why painting can be as powerful as a concert.
Read the interview
"Groove It: music turned into visual space" — Fusilerías
Coverage of Groove It at Hotel Mondrian Mexico City Condesa.
Read the feature
"Alan Durst turns pop memory into abstract painting" — The Front Magazine
Coverage of Groove It's concept and its dialogue with Mondrian Mexico City.
"An exhibition of intimate sunsets" — Máspormás
Coverage of Golden Hour, an immersive experience blending painting, live music, and and light.
Read the feature
Q & A
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 and 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.