Painting Present is a collaboration between Tate Modern and the MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design bringing to London major figures working in or on painting to explore contemporary issues around this media.10.04.2003 The seventh of the series of events which explored the condition of painting now.Francis Alÿs, born in Belgium and based in Mexico City, uses painting to extend his response to the urban stage. His multi-media work addresses the city streets he wanders compulsively.In one series, he painted images from photographs while Mexican sign painters recreated the same images. In another, he walked from street to gallery carrying a punctured can of paint that left an enamel trail recording his journey through both urban and institutional space.Alÿs discussed his exploration of art, movement and cities with curator and writer Catherine Lampert.