Mixed media on the rise: three names defining the visual language of 2026

The hybridization of materials continues to gain ground over traditional oil painting. This week we identified three emerging artists whose technical proposal is generating conversation in independent galleries in Berlin and Mexico City.

Why mixed media matters now

Mixed media is not new, but its market moment is. Contemporary collecting seeks works that resist digital reproduction — pieces whose texture, density and materiality cannot be captured on screen. That is exactly what artists like Elena Vasari offer, whose work combines layers of oil with found materials to construct surfaces of high tactile complexity.

The three names

Vasari leads the group with a trajectory that accumulates residencies in Italy and Germany and a growing presence at European fairs. Her Stratificazione series has generated the highest volume of sustained interest on our platform during the last quarter.

The other two names are reserved for this week's positioning report — available to premium subscribers.

The market signal

Reference prices for mixed media works increased an average of 22% at European auctions during the first half of 2026. The correlation with increased platform interest suggests the market is anticipating what collecting will take a few months to confirm.