THE NEW PICASSO: Andres Valencia’s Rise in Contemporary Art

The Southern California prodigy’s vibrant, large-scale paintings—reminiscent of Cubism and inspired by icons like Picasso, George Condo, and Dalí—have become must-haves for high-profile collectors. His fragmented faces and striking use of color have taken the contem-porary art scene by storm, drawing comparisons to some of history’s greatest artists.Valencia began painting at age five, and his meteoric rise started when he debuted at Art Miami in 2021 at just 10 years old. His entire collection sold out on opening night, making him the youngest artist ever to have his own booth at the prestigious fair. It seems history repeats itself.Valencia’s work has captured the attention of Hollywood A-listers, musicians, and business moguls alike. Sofia Vergara, Channing Tatum, Brooke Shields, Jordan Belfort, Diane Keaton, Tommy Mottola, and Emilio Estefan have all purchased his paintings. The young artist’s collector base also includes renowned figures like art dealer Jessica Goldman Srebnick and philanthropists Robbi and Bruce E. Toll. His auction debut in Hong Kong saw Ms. Cube sell for $160,000—three times its estimate—while another piece fetched $230,000 at a charity gala in Capri, Italy.Despite his fame, Valencia maintains a grounded perspective. “Some days I paint, other days I don’t,” he says casually. “It just depends on how much homework I get.

"I just want the world to know my work."

96 www.vivantmagazine.comPAGE TURNERSValencia’s process is as extraordinary as his talent. Working on oversized canvases, he uses a mix of oil stick, acrylic, and oil paint, drawing inspiration from masters like van Gogh, Bacon, Richter, and of course, Picasso. While he sometimes starts with a sketch, much of his work evolves spontaneously, driven by his instincts and imagination.Outside of painting, Valencia explores sculpting, filmmaking, and toy design. His artistic curiosity often leads to midnight bursts of creativity, with new ideas pulling him out of bed to create. His parents, Elsa and Lupe, support his unique journey, balancing his global success with the simplicity of childhood. “He’s a little boy first,” says Elsa. “He goes to public school, rides bikes with his friends, and plays outside.”Valencia’s reach extends far beyond the U.S. In 2023, Korean superstar V from BTS shared Valencia’s artwork on Instagram, including a commissioned portrait the prodigy created for him. This has sparked discussions about a potential collaboration for charity. Valencia has also been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Vanity Fair, Smithsonian Magazine, and other major outlets.Upcoming highlights include an exhibition at Frieze Seoul in South Korea and the release of a coffee table book by DK Penguin Random House in early 2025. Re-cent auction sales at Phillips in London and Hong Kong have fetched upward of $165,000, further cementing Valencia as a powerhouse in the art world.While Valencia’s work draws comparisons to Picasso and his success continues to soar, his family ensures his childhood remains a priority. “I just want the world to know my work,” Valencia says humbly.With his immense talent, star-studded fan base, and a vision that transcends his years, Andres Valencia is shaping the future of contemporary art—one master-piece at a time.