Paul Anton (b. 1987, Pamplona) and Bea Aiguabella (b. 1989, Zaragoza) work in Madrid's Tetuán district, residing in Pozuelo de Alarcón with their three children. Trained in architecture at the University of Navarra, Paul also holds an MFA from the University of the Arts London. Their artistic roots span American abstract expressionism (Bea) and Russian and Basque constructivisms (Paul).
Since when do you paint and what are your favorite motives?
From childhood, the allure of art beckoned us. Paul created comics with friends, while Bea attended a painting academy. Architecture studies, guided by mentor Javier Anton, ignited our artistic passion. In a form analysis course, we unleashed our potential, delving deep into drawing. Paul later became a teaching assistant. In 2012, we ventured into abstract painting with acrylics and papers, a journey that continues. Our preferred mediums include wall sculpture construction for Paul and oil bars and collage for Bea.
When you create a new work, how do you proceed? What comes first?
For Paul, the initial spark in a piece is the drawing—a realm brimming with potentialities that can morph into various forms. He then engages with materials, allowing a degree of manual freedom. In contrast, Bea envisions the outcome and dives straight into the material, relying on her exceptional intuition. She intuits what will work without the need for preliminary sketches.
From what do you get your motivation?
Our motivation is to craft pieces that evoke aesthetic expression. In a culture where aesthetics, as a Canadian artist noted, is considered passé, with a prevalent focus on mockery and humor, we remain committed to pursuing aesthetics akin to the 20th-century constructivists or expressionists. Through this, we aim to emanate tranquility and serenity, creating something delicately evocative—a minimalism that prompts eloquent silence, echoing the sentiments of Fernanda Gomes.
Your life without art would be...
While art and living through art fulfill a profound passion and a dream come true, our priority remains our family. We value a simple life over chasing excessive success. This mindset aligns with the unassuming nature of our art—something modest and restrained. Despite the simplicity, we harbor a powerful creative drive; life would feel incomplete without nurturing it.
What's the best art venue in your city right now?
Our current sanctuary is our recently completed restored home—an old traditional Castilian house with a courtyard. Transformed and designed for unhurried reflection, it has become our favorite place. We'll soon showcase the rehabilitation outcome, and you'll understand why it holds a special significance for us.
Photos by Paco Marin
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