In Ismael Ali de Unzaga’s urban realms, color doesn’t confine itself; it spills over freely. The strokes of his brush yield substance, heightened by intricate assemblies. His city is a vibrant, lively tapestry, unabashedly revealing its existence. Rather than delving into notions of space, time, the absolute, or the grandiose, Ali cherishes the mundane.

It’s within the wild, untimely, and intense rhythms of everyday life that he discovers the essence of his city’s portrayal. If one were to classify Ali’s work, it undeniably aligns with the vibrancy of Pop-art, delving into recognizable landscapes and the codes of contemporary culture. Ali’s art encapsulates the urban experience, reflecting the civilization of the city.

This quest leads Ismael from city to city, seeking a common thread: the inhabitants who saturate the scenes and the enchanting noise that transcends the canvas, lingering for the observer’s departure. Ali’s cities beckon, urging us to look closely at what unfolds within. In Ali’s hands, the canvas sometimes transforms into a graffitied, untamed wall, casting the artist as a comprehensible, somewhat domesticated Basquiat. Amidst the kaleidoscope of color, the most prominent feature is the multitude of people. Beyond their faces, often absorbed in their interactions, their defining characteristics emerge through their attire. These city dwellers inhabit well-constructed perspectives, navigating avenues, boulevards, luminous signs, and grand peaks across cities like Venice, New York, Kyoto, Rome, Tokyo, Madrid, Burgos, Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago… Each city tells a unique story through Ali’s lens, inviting us to explore the vivid tapestry of urban life.