In preparation for Jaime Urdiales' second solo exhibition with the gallery, we visited his studio to catch up on his recent work over the past year. This eagerly anticipated exhibition follows a highly successful online release and a completely sold-out summer show last year. Urdiales' style remains deeply personal, rich with narrative, and influenced by his surroundings.
For this new body of work, Urdiales has relocated to NYC, immersing himself in the city's vibrant energy and diverse culture. This dynamic environment has provided fresh inspiration, adding new dimensions to his already compelling artistic journey.
Join us for the opening August 8th, and sign up for the waitlist below for exhibition updates.
1. Can you describe a typical day in your NYC studio? How does the environment here influence your work compared to your previous locations?
I’ve never been so inspired and distracted at the same time. Every morning I face my first dilemma of the day: do I head to my studio in Brooklyn and focus on my work, or do I indulge in the pleasures of life? It's a constant battle between responsibility and desire. My art demands discipline, yet my heart longs for the warmth and distraction of being with someone special.
Today, I choose to be responsible. I grab my sketchbook and head to the subway. The journey to Brooklyn is an adventure in itself. The subway is a microcosm of the city—crowded, loud, creepy sometimes and filled with a diverse array of people. There are performers singing their hearts out, tourists looking lost, and commuters like me, trying to carve out a moment of calm. Despite the noise and the jostling, I find a strange sense of peace in these moments. The rhythm of the train, the steady hum of conversation, it all becomes a backdrop for my thoughts.
As I step out in Brooklyn, the energy shifts. It's different from the West Village, less frenetic and more real. I make my way to the studio, navigating through the sea of people, each on their own journey. My studio is my sanctuary, a place where I can shut out the noise and immerse myself in creation. Here, time bends and stretches, and I lose myself in the process of bringing my visions to life.
But as the day wears on, my thoughts inevitably drift back to all kind of distractions. The pull is strong, and it takes all my willpower to stay focused. By late afternoon, I've made enough progress to feel satisfied. I pack up and back in Manhattan I decide to reward myself with a visit.
The first painting “double cheese burger” is about that. I was fascinated by the amount of good and bad things this city can offer so I decided to start the collection talking about that. In the painting you can see an old symbol of America which is already disappearing; “Big Boy”. The great man who holds a nostalgic place in American dining history is offering you a double cheese burger. What would you do if someone offers you double what others offer you? I bet you would take it. However, "double" means not only twice the benefits but also twice the drawbacks.
2. What techniques or materials are you experimenting with for this new collection? Have you introduced any new elements or approaches?
Mostly oil paint (with some secrets). I did research a lot about American art culture and I took new references. By studying artist like, Grant Wood, Edward Hopper, Robert bechtle and Ralph Goings I discovered insights into various aspects of American culture.
3. How does classical Hollywood cinema continue to shape your vision? Are there any particular films or genres that inspired your latest works?
My early work was heavily influenced by the glamour and idealism of classical Hollywood cinema. I was captivated by the larger-than-life characters and the perfectly framed worlds they inhabited. I aimed to capture that same sense of idealism and timeless beauty, creating pieces that felt almost like stills from those golden age films. The romance, the drama, the idealized worlds – they all found their way into my canvas.
However, as time has passed, my work has taken a much different direction. Personal experiences, particularly with love, have shifted my perspective. Where I once painted with a sense of idealism, my work is now more grounded in reality, reflecting the imperfections and struggles of real life. This change was partly driven by a series of unfortunate events in my personal life, which made it clear that the perfect, idealized love I admired on the silver screen doesn't always translate to real life.
Now, my paintings are less polished and more raw. I use textures and broken lines to convey the complexities and messiness of human emotions. The glamour has been replaced with a more honest depiction of life's wear and tear. You might still see hints of my old Hollywood influences in the way I compose a scene, but now they serve as a backdrop to more authentic, lived experiences. My recent work is much more about capturing the beauty in the broken and the used, reflecting a more nuanced understanding of love and life.
4. Can you share any experiences from your time in NYC that have significantly impacted your current pieces?
This city is often perceived as the epitome of chaos, busyness, and even hostility. It's a place where people are constantly moving, and it's easy to feel lost or insignificant among the crowds. Yet, amidst this urban whirlwind, I discovered a profound sense of love with someone special. It was as if the city's harsh exterior melted away, revealing a hidden layer of intimacy and connection that I hadn't believed possible here. The entire collection is about that, explaining the best and the worst of it. Each painting is a different stage of that adventure, with a beginning and an ending.
In my own journey, finding love in a place I considered inhospitable has reminded me that art, like love, can flourish in the most unexpected environments. It has opened my eyes to new possibilities and has profoundly enriched my creative process.
5. Without giving too much away, what can collectors expect to see in this exhibition that differs from your previous shows?
Love has always been a powerful undercurrent in my life, but I've often approached it indirectly in my work. This time, I wanted to confront it head-on. The inspiration came from a very personal place—an intense relationship that I experienced recently. I realized that to truly honor my feelings and the impact of this love, I needed to be sincere and brave in my expression. It felt like the right moment to be vulnerable and share this deeply personal journey through my art.
Normally I design all the paintings and then I focus on painting them on the canvas. But this time I did designed and painted as I was getting into a love story.
Creating these pieces in real-time was both exhilarating and challenging. Each painting became a snapshot of my emotions at that precise moment. The joy, the uncertainty, the passion—all of it is captured raw and unfiltered. This approach demanded a level of honesty and immediacy that I've never embraced before. It also meant that my creative process was intensely intertwined with my personal life, making each piece a genuine reflection of my evolving feelings.
6. Are there any specific pieces or themes in the upcoming exhibition that you’re particularly excited about?
I feel most connected to the “Winning Horse” or “El Caballo Ganador” because is not just a painting; it is a testament to my resilience. It reminds me that, despite the adversity, I found the strength within myself to escape and to heal. This piece stands as a symbol of hope for anyone who feels trapped in a similar room. It’s a reminder that we all have the power to break free and emerge stronger on the other side.
When I look at this painting now, I feel a profound sense of pride and liberation. It captures the essence of my journey—how I not only survived but emerged victorious. I hope that others who see "The Winning Horse" will feel inspired to find their own strength and courage to overcome whatever challenges they face.
7. What do you hope viewers take away from your works in this exhibition?
When I create my art, my greatest hope is that people see themselves in it. This exhibition is all about the simplicity of love and the honesty of human feelings—those raw, unfiltered emotions that we all experience. I believe that art doesn’t need to be complicated or obscure to be profound. Sometimes, the simplest expressions are the most powerful. There’s less jokes inside the painting this time bur is more romantic and that’s already a lot for me…
8. How do you see your work evolving in the future? Are there any new directions or projects you’re considering?
When I think about my art, I see it as more than just paintings on a canvas. For me, each piece is a gateway, a small fragment of something much larger. I've always dreamt bigger than a single painting. My vision is to create experiences, cities, universes, and worlds—immersive realms where people can lose themselves and find new perspectives.
9. How do you balance nostalgia with contemporary subjects in your art?
I'm captivated by the nostalgic charm of yesteryears—the neon signs that once adorned city streets like beacons of promise, the vibrant street advertising that painted urban landscapes with color and character. These icons of American culture are fading into obscurity, overshadowed by the relentless march of time and technological progress.
In my work, I strive to evoke a sense of longing for these vanishing symbols while also critiquing the societal shifts that contribute to their demise. The neon glow that once defined the nocturnal cityscape now flickers faintly in the corners of memory, replaced by LED screens and digital billboards that lack the warmth and character of their predecessors.
But my art is not merely an elegy for the past. It is a reflection on the complexities of contemporary life—the dizzying pace of change, the contradictions of progress, and the lingering nostalgia for a simpler, more tangible existence.
10. After this exhibition, do you have any upcoming projects or plans that you’re excited about?
Yes, a lot! In September I have two exhibitions in Madrid, a very special Solo Show with Ponces + Robles and then a group show with a really cool artist; Javier Ruiz organised by Fundación el Núcleo. Which will be produced at an art residence in the countryside, completely opposite to my Life in New York so I’m a bit nervous but excited and grateful to be chooses for cool projects. Also before the year ends Ill be exhibiting for the first time in Germany and cool projects are also boiling in the UK. But my dream is to stay in USA for longer. I need to continue investigating here as I feel so inspired everyday. My phone gallery is full of photos, my notebooks are full of drawings and I feel like I belong here.
