Carlos Mercado (b. 1958, Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work spans painting, mixed media, photography, and conceptual installations. Self-taught and driven by curiosity, Mercado earned a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico in Ponce and has developed a distinct visual language rooted in abstraction, pop sensibilities, and cultural iconography. He lives and works between San Juan, Miami, and Los Angeles, continually evolving his practice across mediums and environments.Mercado has exhibited extensively in both solo and group exhibitions dating back to the late 1980s. His solo shows have taken place in venues across Puerto Rico, including Iconos at the Museo de las Américas in San Juan (2008), and exhibitions at Mercado Art and Biaggi Faure Fine Art, among others. He has also participated in collective exhibitions and gallery contexts both locally and internationally, reflecting the longevity and breadth of his career.His work draws inspiration from nostalgia, Caribbean iconography, and the reinterpretation of historical imagery, often combining bold colors and mixed materials to create visually compelling narratives. Recent projects include large-format installations in open-air spaces such as Fuerte San Cristóbal and collaborations with the Arte Fitts Foundation, as well as the opening of his own gallery space in Madrid’s Salesas district in 2023, where he continues to expand his artistic footprint. Mercado also serves as a cultural ambassador for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, promoting cultural exchange between Puerto Rico and Spain.Recognized for his commitment to craft and his evolving stylistic voice, Mercado’s work has appeared in more than a dozen solo and group exhibitions in the United States and Puerto Rico since 1989.