Meet the Artist Duo Maite y Manuel
I always wonder about artist duos. How do they do it? Who does what? Don’t they disagree about what colours to use, or when the piece is finished, or who cleans the brushes?
The artist duo Maite y Manuel have found a way to make it work. I first saw their paintings on Instagram and thought they looked extremely fun to make, like the aftermath of a couple of sugar-high kids in a sandpit, only with paint and brushes instead of spades and pots. What I love about their work is the sense of conviction with each mark, those broad gestures that buzz with life. It looks like a frenzied sketch on paper has been translated onto a big canvas.
Their paintings make me think about the logistics of working with a partner. Could I make work with Kezia? Would the control freak in me be able to make space for someone else’s ideas? And what would that even look like?
Maite y Manuel are from Uruguay but currently reside in Mallorca, where they live and work together. When I reached out to them they were making work for their next solo show, “Undercooked”, which opens next month at Middleman Gallery in South Korea. They didn’t elaborate too much on my questions (“Sorry if the replies are too short,” they told me, “we’re better with paint than we are with words”) so this one is short and sweet. Enjoy!
Hi guys. Firstly, tell me about your dog. He seems to be a daily presence in your studio.
He’s called Atún [Spanish for tuna]. He’s a Podenco Ibicenco and he is the reason behind many of the poses of our figures and the crazy ears and long tails in many paintings.
So you’re together as a couple - how did the idea of working together as artists start?
Our shared interests lead to drawing together during our free time after school, which then evolved into working together full time.
And how does it work? Who does what?
We both do everything and all at the same time.
From what I gather, you’re both from Uruguay but now live in Mallorca. How did you end up in Mallorca?
We moved to Barcelona to study. And then four years later our apartment lease was coming to an end and we wanted something quieter. We were open to any destination and I don't really know how we ended up here in Mallorca.
As an artist duo with two creative minds, do you disagree about anything?
Everybody thinks we do, but we don’t!
I loved what you wrote on Instagram about imagining the canvas as a big piece of paper, and paint as crayons. Do you want the paintings to have that look of a loose drawing that’s more of a quick gesture?
Some people actually ask if the works are finished, but lately we like our paintings undercooked.
I wondered what art you look at - which artists do you love right now?
Yes, we obsess over an artist until we fall in love with the next one. The list is endless but the first ones that come to mind are Lacy Duarte, Ignacio Iturria, Jonathan Meese and Karel Appel.
You had a recent solo show here in the UK called Figuras. Where did those figures come from? They are sort of like ghost forms.
I don’t know where they come from, they just keep coming. Maybe it’s us.
Lastly, what do you think makes a great painting?
Anger.
Follow Maite y Manuel on Instagram: @maite_y_manuel
Things on Our Radar This Week
Maite y Manuel’s solo show “Undercooked” at Middleman Gallery in South Korea (opens 1 May)
A great archival clip of Karel Appel painting like a kung fu master in his studio
The very last exhibition conceived by Richard Serra before his death (runs till 18 May at David Zwirner)
The arts are under attack again; is this a signal of what’s to come?
Zach Zono’s solo show at London’s Noho Venues (opens 18 April)
Thanks for reading, see you next week!
Oliver & Kezia xx