Marcello Mercado
Paintings
Fractured SyntaxPaintings at the Threshold of Code and Gesture
Marcello Mercado’s paintings invite us into a space where form resists containment. Their surfaces are layered, fractured and shifting – an architecture of marks that seems both deliberate and destabilised. These works do not seek resolution. They pulse with the residual charge of the digital age, yet remain grounded in the material intelligence of the painted surface.
In Mercado’s practice, painting is neither nostalgic nor oppositional. It is a porous, metabolizing field that absorbs algorithmic noise, compression artefacts and the ghost images of obsolete media. These remnants do not function as visual effects, but emerge as sedimented traces within a larger system of painterly thought. Each canvas becomes a palimpsest where code meets pigment, where digital ruins and analogue memory converge.
Mercado’s paintings explore the tension between drawing and its erasure. The line, often submerged or fragmented, functions less as a boundary than as a site of struggle – a trace that flickers between presence and disappearance. This gives the works a temporal quality: a sense that they are not static images but ongoing processes, archaeological in their accumulation and disruption.
The paintings articulate a fragile architecture of collapse. Fragmentation becomes a structure in itself, one that resists the legibility of traditional narrative or iconography. In their broken syntax, these works echo cultural memory – not through overt reference, but through rupture, discontinuity and the aesthetics of interruption. There is a haunting, almost sonic silence in these paintings: the silence of a meaning too fragile to cohere, too urgent to be ignored.
Marcello Mercado
DATA_Paintings
A text-based artwork on printed vinyl canvas
60cm x 50cm 23,6in x 19,6in
2025
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
60cm x 80cm /each 23.6in x 31.4in, diptych
2023
Marcello Mercado
Turtle
mixed media on canvas
30cm x 40cm 11,8in x 15,7in
2013
Marcello Mercado
Insel
mixed media on canvas
30cm x 40cm 11,8in x 15,7in
2013
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
25cm x 25cm 9.8in x 9.8in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on wood
35cm x 35cm 13.7in x 13.7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on wood
35cm x 35cm 13.7in x 13.7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled 01, 02 and 03
mixed media on paper
20cm x 35cm each 7.8in x 13.7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
40cm x 30cm 11.8in x 15,7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
201 cm x 388 cm, 79.1 in x 152.7 in
2012
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
30cm x 40cm 15,7in x 11.8in
2013
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm 31.4in x 23.6in
2014
Marcello Mercado
Amazonas
mixed media on canvas
80cm x 60cm 31.4in x 23.6in
2019
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
40cm x 30cm 11.8in x 15.7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
40cm x 30cm 11.8in x 15.7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
RY
oil on canvas
20cm x 20cm 7.8in x 7.8in
2010
Marcello Mercado
BL
oil on canvas
20cm x 20cm 7.8in x 7.8in
2010
Marcello Mercado
RB
oil on canvas
20cm x 20cm 7.8in x 7.8in
2010
Marcello Mercado
YV
oil on canvas
20cm x 20cm 7.8in x 7.8in
2010
Marcello Mercado
RB2
oil on canvas
20cm x 20cm 7.8in x 7.8in
2010
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on wood
35cm x 35cm 13.7in x 13.7in
2014
Marcello Mercado
Gedesby
Acrylic on canvas
60cm x 80cm 23.6in x 31.4in
2019
Marcello Mercado
untitled
oil on canvas
30cm x 40cm 11,8in x 15,7in, Diptych
2023
Marcello Mercado
untitled
oil on canvas
100cm x 100cm 39,3in x 39,3in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Homeland light
mixed media on canvas
201 cm x 388 cm, 79.1 in x 152.7 in
2011
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
oil on canvas
30cm x 40cm 15,7in x 11.8in
2014
Marcello Mercado
untitled G3
acrylic and pencil on wood
42 cm x 60 cm 16.5 in x 4.2 in
2011
Marcello Mercado
untitled
mixed media on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 11.6 in x 16.5 in
2007
Marcello Mercado
untitled
mixed media on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 11.6 in x 16.5 in
2007
Marcello Mercado
untitled
mixed media on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 11.6 in x 16.5 in
2007
Marcello Mercado
Untitled, Serie x 9
oil on wood
42 cm x 60 cm 16.5 in x 4.2 in
2013
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
acrylic on paper
60 cm x 80 cm 23.6 in x 31.4in
2022
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on paper
60cm x 80cm 23.6in x 31.4in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on paper
60cm x 80cm 23.6in x 31.4in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
250cm x 150cm 98,4in x 59in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
25cm x 25cm 9.8in x 9.8in
2007
Marcello Mercado
Sturm
mixed media on canvas
30cm x 40cm 11.8in x 15,7in
2015
Marcello Mercado
BMW_MERCEDES_RED/BLUE
Enamel paint and oil on wood
42,5 cm x 42,5 cm 16,7 in x 16.7 in
2006
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
40cm x 40cm 15,7in x 15,7in, Diptych
2005
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
80cm x 60cm 31.4in x 23.6in
2013
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on paper, Diptych
60cm x 80cm each, 23.6in x 31.4in
2011
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
60cm x 80cm 23.6in x 31.4in
2014
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
acrylic and ink on paper
20cm x 30cm 7.8in x 11,8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on paper
40cm x 30cm 15.7in x 11.8in
2016
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on paper
40cm x 30cm 15.7in x 11.8in
2016
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on wood
30cm x 40cm 11.8in x 15.7in
2016
Marcello Mercado
BW
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2018
Marcello Mercado
ORG
oil on canvas
40cm x 30cm 15.7in x 11.8in
2016
Marcello Mercado
The man of Pekin
oil on canvas
40cm x 30cm 15.7in x 11.8in
2015
Marcello Mercado
Untitled 01 and 02
acrylic on paper
60cm x 50cm 23,6in x 19,6in
2020
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2005
Marcello Mercado
Rosenbaum
acrylic and ink on paper
30cm x 20cm 11,8in x 7.8in
2006
Marcello Mercado
Garten
acrylic on paper
80cm x 60cm 31.4in x 23.6in
2012
Marcello Mercado
Garten
acrylic on paper
80cm x 60cm 31.4in x 23.6in
2014
Marcello Mercado
Dead man with horse
oil on canvas
150cm x 150cm. 59in x 59in
2022
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas, Diptych
60cm x 80cm each 23.6in x 31.4in
2023
Marcello Mercado
untitled
acrylic on wood
42 cm x 60 cm 16.5 in x 4.2 in
2011
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
60cm x 80cm 23.6in x 31.4in
2013
Marcello Mercado
GR
Acrylic on paper
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2010
Marcello Mercado
untitled
Acrylic and wax on paper
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2011
Marcello Mercado
untitled
Acrylic and wax on paper
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2011
Marcello Mercado
untitled
Acrylic and wax on paper
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2011
Marcello Mercado
untitled
Acrylic and wax on paper
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2011
Marcello Mercado
untitled
mixed media on paper
30cm x 20cm 7.8in x 15,7in
2011
Marcello Mercado
BLR
acrylic on canvas
30cm x 40cm 11.8in x 15,7in
2020
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2016
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
oil on canvas
20cm x 30cm 15,7in x 7.8in
2023
Marcello Mercado
Head
acrylic on canvas
50cm x 60cm 19,6in x 23.6in
2010
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on canvas
100cm x 100cm 39.3in x 39.3in
2022
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
acrylic on paper
60cm x 80cm each, 23.6in x 31.4in
2020
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on paper, Poliptych
60cm x 80cm each, 23.6in x 31.4in
2010
Marcello Mercado
untitled
watercolour on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 116.9in x 16.5 in
2005
Marcello Mercado
untitled
watercolour on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 116.9in x 16.5 in
2005
Marcello Mercado
untitled
watercolour on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 116.9in x 16.5 in
2005
Marcello Mercado
untitled
watercolour on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 116.9in x 16.5 in
2005
Marcello Mercado
untitled
watercolour on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 116.9in x 16.5 in
2005
Marcello Mercado
untitled
watercolour on paper
29,7 cm x 42 cm 116.9in x 16.5 in
2015
Marcello Mercado
TERA
Marker on vinyl canvas
Variable size
2025
Fragments, Signals, Surfaces: On the Paintings of Marcello Mercado
Marcello Mercado’s recent paintings unfold across layered surfaces where fractured forms and biomorphic marks speak a hybrid language – technological and organic, intuitive and computational. These are not paintings that offer stable representation; rather, they resist closure. Each canvas functions as a thinking surface, charged with a strange temporal logic, alive with ghostly absences and uncertain presences.
There is a residue of the digital here: the trace of screens, compression artefacts, algorithmic failures. But these echoes are not decorative or illustrative. Instead, they are absorbed into the analogue flesh of the medium, becoming silent inscriptions of a world shaped by data and decay. The material presence of the painting retains these digital ghosts, as if matter could remember a code.
What emerges is a kind of synthetic realism – a pictorial zone shaped by the contamination of machine vision and emotional memory. These works do not long for the past, nor do they celebrate the future. They inhabit a suspended space where glitches become gestures and errors become structure.
The paintings function as silent scripts inscribed with the ruins of narrative, language and gesture. There is an implicit engagement with memory – not as something preserved, but as something constantly broken and reassembled. Form appears only to collapse, signs appear only to disappear. In this sense, the works become counter-archives: places where memory disorganises itself, riddled with noise and poetic dysfunction.
The drawing remains embedded in the process. Lines interrupt and dissolve; they are doubled, erased or buried under chromatic weight. These paintings function as palimpsests – revealing traces of thought and impulse within layers of erasure and distortion. The relationship between transparency and concealment gives the work a temporal quality, as if each canvas had been excavated rather than composed.
What ultimately defines this practice is its resilience. These are not paintings of ease or affirmation. They are documents of resistance – resistance to legibility, to linear meaning, to aesthetic comfort. In their refusal of resolution, they assert the mark as a site of tension, collapse and persistent becoming. They demand to be seen not as images but as surfaces of survival.
Marcello Mercado
Untitled
mixed media on Insulating material
100cm x 100cm 39.3in x 39.3in
2004