Contemporary realism, far from being a mere extension of academic painting, engages in a direct dialogue with photography, Pop Art, and institutional critique. This approach does not aim solely to faithfully represent reality, but rather to reflect on the media and conventions through which our visual perception is constructed.

In Vega’s work, everyday objects such as museum bags or seemingly trivial scenes—like tourists taking photos—become central subjects. By choosing these motifs, the artist challenges traditional canons of what deserves to be depicted, questioning the established visual hierarchy in art. His paintings act as mirrors, reflecting a society shaped by repetition, superficiality, and a fascination with the ephemeral.

However, this critique is not devoid of reverence: Vega’s paintings pay homage to the great masters of art, whose techniques and compositions resonate throughout his work. Yet this homage is not nostalgic—it becomes a means of provoking the viewer: what is the role of art today, in a world overwhelmed by instant images and empty stimuli? Vega’s work, with both subtlety and irony, compels us to pause and look again.