Born in 1949 in La Coruña, Carlos Alcolea was a Spanish artist known for his contribution to contemporary painting. He trained at the School of Fine Arts of Sant Jordi in Barcelona and the School of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid, where he developed a unique language inspired by movements such as abstract expressionism, pop art, and surrealism, which he adapted in his own distinctive style.

In the mid-1970s, Alcolea began exploring the representation of the human body and dreamlike spaces, working with vibrant colors and expressive forms that often combined figuration with abstract gestures. This style allowed him to explore themes such as identity, memory, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy. His works convey a poetic sensibility, with an introspective gaze and a visual exploration of emotional states.

His work has been exhibited in prominent museums and galleries, such as the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid and the Museu d’Art Contemporani in Barcelona, and it is also part of public and private collections in Spain and abroad. Although his career was cut short by his premature death in 1990, his legacy remains influential in Spanish contemporary painting.

Carlos Alcolea was appreciated for his innovative and introspective approach, with a body of work that continues to inspire artists and collectors.