Roberto Riccardo Alvau

Researcher, Curator and East Asian Contemporary Art Specialist

Spain

About

I am a PhD Researcher and Assistant Professor in Contemporary Art History at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), and a curator specializing in the intersection of socially engaged art and contemporary East Asian art. As a member of the TRAMA research group (Transculturality, Mestizaje, and Globalization in Contemporary Art), my work centers on broader Sinophone art history. My current doctoral research provides an in-depth examination of Taiwan's contemporary museological and curatorial landscape, analyzing artistic production since the end of martial law through a critical decolonial and transfeminist lens. My specialization is built on a strong academic foundation, including an MA in Contemporary Art History and Visual Culture (Complutense University of Madrid & Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía), specializing in curatorial practice and art criticism, and a BA in Art History (University of Valencia), which was awarded with highest honors.

Experience

  • Complutense University of Madrid ()
    • Doctoral Researcher and Assistant Professor
      Jun 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Doctoral Candidate in Contemporary Art History at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and member research group "TRAMA: Transculturality, Mestizaje, and Globalization in Contemporary Art. East-West" with a focus on Chinese and Taiwanese Art History. Doctoral Thesis: 我們從河而來。We born by the river. Community, territory, body, and feminisms in Taiwanese contemporary art (1980-2025). Chair at International Symposium Baodao. Artistic Encounters Between Spain and Taiwan (2025-2026).

    • Research Assistant
      Jan 2022 - Jun 2023 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Research assistant in the doctoral group "Estética Contemporánea: Arte, Política y Sociedad" of the Department of Philosophy and Society of the Complutense University of Madrid, sponsored by the Complutense University of Madrid's Department Collaboration Grant. Final Report Paper: On the Capitalist Melancholy Within the Contemporary Sphere: Santiago Sierra and Francis Alÿs.

  • Visiting International Researcher at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    International guest researcher in residence at the 'Future Narratives Lab (未來敘事實驗室)', led by Dr. Ivan Liu (劉辰岫).

  • Visiting International Scholar at National University of Tainan
    Sep 2024 - Oct 2024 · 2 mos

    Visiting International Researcher in the Doctoral Program in 'Art and Artistic Creation (藝術創作理論研究所博士班).'

  • ASPA Contemporary ()
    • Art Gallery Assistant
      Jun 2022 - Sep 2022 · 4 mos

    • Art Curator
      Jun 2022 - Sep 2022 · 4 mos

  • Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía ()
    • Design and Editorial Coordinator
      Sep 2021 - Jun 2022 · 10 mos

      Part of the editorial team for the contemporary art research journal ACTA and design assistant for the 7th issue of "ACTA 7: FISURAS"

    • Art Curator
      Sep 2021 - Jun 2022 · 10 mos

      Production and co-curation of the exhibition "Chronicles of a Discourse: Galería Juana Mordó in Post-Francoist Art" at Espacio D, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.