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Profiles in Color: The Paintings of Andres Valencia brings a dazzling collection of portraits, sculpture, animation, and studio treasures to New York
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, July 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Profiles in Color: The Paintings of Andres Valencia is an exclusive solo exhibition featuring the widely acclaimed young painter, open to the public from July 16 to July 19, 2026, at FREE PARKING 16 Morton Street, New York. The showcase includes two dozen three‑quarter‑profile portraits—among them the lively Dual, a striking composition set against a vivid red backdrop—that inject a 21st‑century energy into the dignified tradition of portrait painting. Viewing hours run from 12:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19.
Valencia’s creative universe merges bold hues and fractured shapes with whimsical distortion and crisp lines, crafting images that pay homage to art history while feeling unmistakably fresh. This New York presentation spans early portraits created on painted books through recent paintings, drawings, sculptures, and animated videos, and features a brief behind-the-scenes film of Andres making preparatory sketches on bare canvases. The display also includes inspirational 3D objects that shape his creative process: handcrafted MMA figures, sculptures of celebrated artists, and pieces from his own collection of vintage puppets sourced from street markets and antique shops.
Driven by an intense interest in 1950s music culture, contemporary MMA and boxing, and artistic influences drawn from his Mexican heritage and twentieth‑century masters, Valencia produces large‑scale, dramatic, vividly colored figurative works. Born in 2011 and living in California, he has been painting since early childhood and frequently uses a step ladder to create large canvases with oil sticks, oil, and acrylic.
Attendees in New York will be greeted by live events featuring Andres Valencia joined by his parents, Elsa and Guadalupe, who will share insights on how art‑making has shaped their lives.
About the Artist
Andres Valencia (b. 2011) is an artist from California recognized for his large‑scale, vividly colored figurative paintings inspired by Cubism. Instructors in his public‑school Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program identified his gifts at an early age. Valencia has drawn global attention from collectors and the press; his work has been highlighted on Good Morning America and in The New York Times, Forbes, Artnet News, and Smithsonian Magazine. His auction debut, Ms Cube at Phillips Hong Kong, achieved more than three times its high estimate. He has donated artwork to benefit amfAR, UNICEF, Box of Hope, and the Klitschko Foundation.
About the Curator
Simon Watson is an independent curator and arts educator based in New York and São Paulo. A veteran of the cultural scene across three continents, he has conceived and overseen more than 350 exhibitions for galleries and museums. Watson’s curatorial focus lies in identifying visual artists with exceptional potential; many of them are now represented by some of the world’s most prominent galleries.
About the Traveling Exhibition
Profiles in Color: The Paintings of Andres Valencia is a traveling solo exhibition curated by Simon Watson. It launched its tour in March 2026 at the Nassau County Museum of Art in New York. The show comprises 50 paintings, framed drawings, fired‑clay sculptures, and a stop‑motion animation video. The traveling presentation emphasizes Valencia’s large, vividly colored figurative paintings, along with 35 items from his vintage‑toy collection and an immersive reconstruction of the artist’s studio. Touring nationally and internationally, the exhibition will be accompanied by a bilingual (English/Spanish) 180‑page catalog scheduled for publication in January 2027.
Contact:
Tiffany Cummins
Talent Resources
tiffany.cummins@talentresources.com
Simon Watson
Simon Watson Arts
US +1.917.513.9957
Tiffany Cummins
Talent Resources
tiffany.cummins@talentresources.com
