Once again this year, SENDA is pleased to announce that we will be back at By Invitation 2024, an exhibition of modern and contemporary art that, for the fifth consecutive year, will be held at the Círculo Ecuestre de Barcelona.
With the intention of fostering the dialogue between different artistic currents, By Invitation 2024 will feature invited galleries and selected projects, covering both the secondary market and the primary market of established and emerging artists from the national scene. The show will be mostly made up of galleries from Barcelona, although there will also be galleries from other parts of Spain, such as Madrid, Valencia and Gijon.
In this edition, SENDA has its own space to present its gallery proposal: the Japanese Room. The imposing room will host the works of a wide variety of artists, reflecting the versatility of the gallery. From the Chinese ink lithographs of Gao Xingjian, to the dreamlike sculptures of Gonzalo Guzman, the imposing acrylic paintings of Yago Hortal, the colorful wooden creations of Mina Hamada, the black and white photographs of Robert Mapplethorpe, or the mixed media compositions of the internationally renowned Jaume Plensa.
In particular, we would like to let you know that the hall will be an accomplice of a tribute to the famed painter Joan Miró on the occasion of his year of celebration. The piece presented will be a watercolor, “Aquarelle sur papier”, from the artist’s Japanese series. A perfect work to be exhibited in a room full of oriental influences.
If you do not want to miss the opportunity to be part of this exhibition, ask for your accreditation in the link below. See you from the 7th to the 10th of November at the Círculo Ecuestre de Barcelona.
La llegada del otoño a Barcelona siempre trae consigo un aire de vanguardia, creatividad y tendencia. Como cada año por estas fechas, la ciudad se prepara para vivir uno de los eventos más esperados en el ámbito de la moda: la 080 Barcelona Fashion Week, que se celebrará del 14 al 17 de octubre. La semana de la moda catalana no solo destaca por ser una plataforma clave para diseñadores emergentes y consagrados, sino también por su capacidad de conectar la moda con otras disciplinas artísticas.
Este evento coincide con dos exposiciones que nos invitan a explorar el mundo de la moda desde dos perspectivas únicas.
“Cariàtides” de Gino Rubert en galeria SENDA: El arte de la indumentaria
La primera parada artística relacionada con la 080 Fashion Week es la exposición “Cariàtides” del pintor Gino Rubert, expuesta en la galeria SENDA. Rubert es conocido por su capacidad de explorar las emociones humanas a través de figuras que rozan lo surrealista. En esta ocasión, su enfoque pone especial atención en un aspecto fundamental del universo de la moda: la construcción de las prendas.
En “Cariàtides“, Rubert juega con texturas, pliegues, alfileres sobre el lienzo e, incluso, piezas de joyería, creando una conexión simbólica con el proceso artesanal de confeccionar ropa. A través de sus obras, se percibe cómo el pintor utiliza la tela como un material moldeable, donde cada pliegue y cada costura se vuelven elementos cruciales para la construcción de la figura femenina. Este acto de construir prendas en el lienzo refleja el minucioso trabajo de los diseñadores de moda y su atención al detalle en la creación de piezas que son tanto artísticas como funcionales.
Así como un modista crea prendas que visten cuerpos, Rubert viste sus figuras femeninas de “Cariàtides” a través de su pincel, utilizando los materiales como metáfora de la conexión entre el arte pictórico y el arte del vestir.
“Into the river” (2024). 54 x 41 cm
“La Tempesta” (2024). 73 x 65 cm. Detalle
“Dos + Uno. 1984/2024” de José Manuel Ferrater en LAB 36: El tiempo y la moda a través de la fotografía
En LAB 36, otra exposición complementa el espíritu de la 080 Barcelona Fashion Week, pero desde una perspectiva fotográfica. José Manuel Ferrater, afamado fotógrafo de moda, presenta “Dos + Uno. 1984/2024”, una retrospectiva que ofrece un fascinante diálogo visual entre diferentes épocas de su carrera.
La muestra consiste en una contraposición de imágenes icónicas de 1984 y sus antagónicas tomadas en la actualidad, permitiendo al espectador viajar a través del tiempo y observar cómo han evolucionado tanto la moda como la fotografía misma. Ferrater, conocido por su capacidad de capturar la esencia del mundo de la moda con su lente, nos ofrece una reflexión sobre los cambios estilísticos y culturales a lo largo de los años.
A través de su obra, vemos cómo los ideales de belleza, los estilos y las tendencias han mutado con el paso de las décadas, pero también cómo algunos elementos perduran. La moda se presenta no solo como una forma de expresión personal, sino también como un reflejo de los tiempos que vivimos. La exposición es, en esencia, un diálogo entre el pasado y el presente, entre la nostalgia de las épocas doradas de la moda y la constante innovación del mundo contemporáneo.
Vista de sala. “Dos + Uno. 1984/2024”
El diálogo entre moda y arte: Un encuentro inevitable
Ambas exposiciones, en su relación con la moda, encuentran un terreno común: la noción de la moda como arte en sí misma. Rubert y Ferrater, desde sus respectivas disciplinas, exploran y celebran la moda como un medio para expresar y desafiar convenciones. Mientras que Rubert se enfoca en la construcción meticulosa de prendas como un acto artístico y escultórico, Ferrater documenta la moda en su contexto sociocultural, inmortalizando momentos y tendencias que han definido épocas.
Este diálogo entre arte y moda se vuelve aún más relevante en el contexto de la 080 Barcelona Fashion Week, un evento que tradicionalmente ha buscado desafiar las barreras entre disciplinas. En un momento en que la moda se enfrenta a una constante demanda de innovación y sostenibilidad, las exposiciones de Rubert y Ferrater nos recuerdan que la moda no es solo tendencia, sino también un arte profundamente ligado a la expresión creativa.
An honorary doctorate is the highest distinction that a university can bestow on a person in recognition of an outstanding academic, scientific or cultural career. Jaume Plensa, one of the most influential artists of our time, has had a 2024 full of awards, consolidating his status as a key figure in contemporary art. This year, the Catalan sculptor has been awarded two honorary doctorates, awarded by a national and a foreign university, bringing his total to five titles of this rank in his career.
A successful year
In 2024, Plensa was honoured by the University of Notre-Dame (Indiana, USA) in April and more recently, on 30 September, by the Universitat de Barcelona, in an event that honoured other prominent figures from the world of culture such as filmmaker J.A. Bayona, multidisciplinary artist Lita Cabellut and actress and stage director Núria Espert. These awards not only celebrate Plensa‘s artistic excellence, but also his impact on society through his commitment to causes such as social justice and human rights.
From his imposing public sculptures to his delicate installations, Plensa has left a profound mark on the global art scene. His work transcends borders and connects with the viewer in a visceral way, inviting us to reflect on the human condition, spirituality and collective memory. Works such as the monumental ‘Crown Fountain’ in Chicago’s Millennium Park or ‘Nomade’ in Antibes (France) demonstrate Plensa‘s ability to transform public space into a place of contemplation and dialogue.
From here, we join in the applause for Jaume Plensa, whose art continues to inspire, break barriers and create human connections on a global level.
From October 19th, 2024, to January 19th, 2025, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza Madrid will open its doors to a major retrospective of Peter Halley, in collaboration with galeria SENDA. This monographic exhibition, part of the exhibition program of Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza’s collection, features 20 paintings by the New York contemporary classic, from both public and private Spanish collections.
This is the first time since 1992, when the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía dedicated an exhibition to Halley, that Spain has hosted such a comprehensive retrospective of the artist. The exhibition encompasses his production from 1985 to 2024, exploring all stages of Halley‘s career. The selection of works has been carefully curated by Guillermo Solana, artistic director of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza Madrid, and by the artist himself, who has also designed the installation, promising a unique visual and conceptual experience for museum visitors. The exhibition highlights the exceptional reception that Halley‘s work has enjoyed in Spain for almost forty years, presenting twenty large-format works that span his entire career and with which one can observe his evolution over time.
In addition, this exhibition coincides with another show dedicated to Peter Halley at galeria SENDA, on the occasion of more than thirty years of collaboration between the artist and the gallery. Halley will present unpublished pieces designed specifically for the venue, forming a set consisting of a huge mural work that contrasts with a collection of very unique small format. The presentation will take place this December.
“Art and science: shared trajectories”, a dialogue between the artist Xavi Bou and the professor and researcher Josep Perelló, will take place on 4th June at 7pm at galeria SENDA. Framed in Bou’s current exhibition at the gallery, both will offer us their perspective that intertwines art and science.
A meeting of gazes
Xavi Bou, through his project “Ornithographies”, explores the flight of birds using advanced photographic techniques that reveal patterns invisible to the human eye. His work is not only visually stunning, but also invites deep reflection on nature, the importance of preserving wildlife, and our place in it.
Josep Perelló is a professor in the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Barcelona (UB) and a researcher at the UB Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS). Founder of the OpenSystems-UB group, Perelló promotes scientific research projects with citizen participation and artistic practices. His work in citizen science and collective experiments for public space has been recognised and acclaimed both locally and internationally.
For all this, Perelló‘s historical knowledge and Bou‘s artistic and nature experience converge in a talk that fuses art and science from a different perspective.
The fusion between art and science
During the talk, Josep Perelló will provide a historical perspective on the intersection between art and science, exploring how these two fields have dialogued and influenced each other over the centuries. His experience as head and curator of the Science Area at Arts Santa Mònica, as well as his work at the Barcelona Office of Citizen Science and the Ciutat i Ciència Biennial, provides him with an enriching vision that promises to broaden our understanding and appreciation of this interdisciplinary fusion.
Xavi Bou, for his part, will share his personal experience and creative process. He will take us through the development of his project “Ornithographies”, from the initial inspiration to the technical and artistic realisation of his photographs. It will be a unique opportunity to understand art from the perspective of the person who creates it, and how science can be a powerful tool in the artistic process.
Do you want to attend?
We’ll be waiting for you on 4th June at 7pm at galeria SENDA (Trafalgar, 32). The talk is free and open to the public. You only have to confirm your attendance by clicking on this link and register.
From Galeria SENDA, we are pleased to announce that Chilean artist Sandra Vásquez de la Horra has been awarded the Käthe Kollwitz Award. For those who don’t know about the history of this annual award, it was born in 1960 and is named after the German artist Käthe Kollwitz. Kollwitz was a painter, sculptor and printmaker in the realist movement, who was very socially committed to this style during the 19th century and who embraced expressionism in the early 20th century. The Akademie der Künste – Berlin Academy of Arts – has awarded its prize this year to Vásquez de la Horra, who has been living in Germany since 1995.
More about the artist
Sandra Vásquez de la Horra, born in 1967 in Viña del Mar (Chile), graduated in Visual Communication at the University of Design in her hometown and subsequently completed her studies in Fine Arts at the Academy of Art in Düsseldorf (Germany). Abroad, in 2002, he studied photography, film and new media at the Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln – Academy of Visual Arts in Cologne. It should also be noted that since he moved to Germany in 1995, he has continued to produce his work from Berlin. Therefore, we can observe the great esteem and the indissoluble bond that the artist and the German country have created after years of living and creating new projects from there.
In Vásquez de la Horra‘s works, the artist uses wax crayon to construct a dark imaginary that evokes an imaginary and fantastical world that touches on subversive themes such as religion, mythology, sex, popular culture, social networks and death. Through this dystopian execution, the spectator is introduced into a universe of fictitious and enchanted creatures characterised by carnal and psychological concerns, a resource that Vásquez de la Horra uses to make us reflect on social issues that affect us directly, although we often leave them aside. Therefore, we could say that she is an artist whose visual language thematises the conflicts faced by today’s society.
Her works bring together a series of archetypes of the collective consciousness, questions of gender and sexuality, intercultural reflections and themes of spiritual practices. The reason for this artistic discourse that is so rooted in social protest can be explained when one gets to know the artist’s biography. Vásquez de la Horra grew up in an era which, following the coup d’état of the Chilean military junta in 1973 and the seizure of power by Augusto Pinochet, was dominated by torture, repression, disappearances and numerous human rights violations for more than seventeen years.
With the return of democracy in 1990, the population was able to digest and come to terms with the country’s history, the imprint of which can be seen in Sandra Vásquez de la Horra‘s artwork. In addition to showing the barbarities that her country experienced, her projects depict family confrontations, the mythologies of the indigenous population and the colonial domination of Europeans in Central and South America.
The drawings Vásquez de la Horra creates are both small and large format, on paper and cardboard, and are characterised by their density, colours and precision. Some of his creations are dipped in wax, a treatment that adds depth to the drawing and allows him to construct three-dimensional works in the form of an accordion.
Prize and celebration
On the occasion of the award ceremony of the Käthe Kollwitz Award 2023, the Akademie der Künste will exhibit a selection of Vásquez de la Horra‘s works; a total of more than 60 drawings, photographs and objects that will be exhibited in a site-specific installation. The ceremony will take place at the Akademie der Künste itself on 18 June at 7 p.m. and the special exhibition will be open to the public from 19 June to 25 August.
For the 40th edition of Art Brussels, we have been selected for the “REDISCOVERY” section by the Art Brussels Committee, composed of Belgian and international gallerists. On this occasion, we bring back the unclassifiable Zush/Evru, to whom we dedicate the exhibition “Back to being” (2020) after eight years of absence by the artist. The “REDISCOVERY” section is dedicated to underrated, undervalued or forgotten artists of the 20th century, living or deceased. It aims to explore and highlight surprising, unknown and original practices that have not yet entered the mainstream of art history.
The human condition through dreams seen by three generations of artists
It is a pleasure to participate again in Art Brussels, as it presents a strong, international program and a unique mix of established artists and emerging talents that align with our vision. In addition to the “REDISCOVERY” section, the galleries have been divided into three more sections: PRIME, DISCOVERY, INVITED and the SOLO subsection of the fair.
In addition to having a special section to put the focus back on the work of Zush/Evru, we added Sandra Vásquez de la Horra and Gonzalo Guzmán, thus creating a dialogue between three artists of three different generations who address realities of the human condition that are not obvious. Very personal visions of the subconscious. Their own experiences serve as an engine to create unique and personal dream worlds that open spaces for reflection.
The personal aesthetic universe of the Barcelona-born artist who, under different names – Albert Porta, Zush and now Evru – has been the protagonist since the sixties of an itinerary that takes us through the most innovative expressive supports. His fluid work is rooted in his even more fluid persona, which has given rise to the Evrugian Mental State, a self-sufficient imaginary world in which he often resides to reflect on concepts such as identity, otherness and the state of being. His artworks act as tangible mediators between the audience and the dreams, emotions, creatures and beings that reside in his dream world. His work blurs the planes of dream and reality with an expression close to surrealism.
As a complement to Zush/Evru, Sandra Vásquez de la Horra (Viña del Mar, Chile, 1967) proceeds to work on the plane of her imagination. Her characteristic wax drawings, which could be seen in the exhibition “Meridians” (2018) and “Aura” (2022), evoke a dreamlike state of emotion and fantasy, where her internal expression deals with subversive themes of religion, sex, mythology, death and personal experiences.
Both Vasquez de la Horra and Zush share an interest in the dreamlike and the surreal, but approach these subjects from different perspectives. While Vasquez de la Horra focuses on exploring the deeper aspects of the human unconscious and deconstructing cultural taboos, Zush immerses himself in creating his own alternative worlds. However, both artists share an innate ability to capture the essence of the unreal and the fantastic in their works, inviting the viewer to reflect on the nature of reality and imagination. Like Zush/Evru, Vasquez de la Horra‘s work is rooted in the desire to embody and understand the intangible inner state.
Sandra Vásquez de la Horra. “Aura”‘s exhibition view
Finally, to link the dialogue, we contrast the work of these established artists with one of our latest additions to the gallery, which we exhibited during Art Nou 2023 with the exhibition “Collision“.
Trained as an industrial designer, Gonzalo Guzmán (Madrid, 1991) began to dedicate himself to sculpture in the wake of the pandemic. During that time of chaos and uncertainty, he experienced “lucid dreams” in which he was aware of living his own dream and could control its development. In these dreams, dolmen-like figures repeatedly appeared to him and served as inspiration. The shaping of these forms in sculptures is a way of research to transfer them to reality. That is to say, the fact of materializing them makes it possible for Guzmán to interact with them on the real plane and at the same time for other people to do so.
To intertwine Gonzalo Guzmán‘s work with that of Zush/Evru, we can highlight how both artists explore the intersection between the tangible world and the world of dreams. Both challenge the conventional perception of reality and lead us to reflect on the limits of imagination and artistic materialization. While Zush/Evru shows us the landscapes of our dreams, Guzmán offers us the opportunity to touch those ephemeral forms and bring them into the physical world.
Gonzalo Guzmán. Dolmen_04 (2022)
190 x 270 x 100 cm
See you at Art Brussels!
For all these reasons, we are pleased to announce our twenty-first participation in the 40th edition of Art Brussels. This prestigious fair is one of the most recognized in Europe and an event marked in our calendar. With a wide variety of proposals, it represents the cultural and artistic richness of the European scene that attracts many collectors, curators, galleries, art professionals from all over the world. This year, the fair will take place at the Brussels Expo, in Halls 5 and 6, and you can find us at stand 5A-22.
Currently, the work of Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa can be seen in numerous venues around the world, including the exhibition at La Pedrera in Barcelona from March 31st through July 23rd, 2023. However, beyond this exhibition, Plensa‘s work is diverse and complex, and deserves an in-depth review. In this article, we want to explore his work beyond his current exhibition in Barcelona, and highlight his time in our gallery over the years.
From March 31st, at La Pedrera, you will be able to discover the most intimate and unknown Plensa in an exhibition that, for the first time, reveals the influence that literature, language and the alphabet have had on his work.
Installation of Jaume Plensa’s work at La Pedrera
This exhibition is a unique opportunity to delve into the most particular work of this internationally renowned sculptor. With a career spanning from the late twentieth century to the present, Jaume Plensa has stood out for his work on the human figure, where he often fuses matter, words and music in a constant dialogue. This exhibition, curated by Javier Molins, will show some of the artist’s most representative pieces, as well as his evolution over the years.
Jaume Plensa during the installation of his work at La Pedrera
From Galeria SENDA, having exhibited the sculptor’s work on more than one occasion, we are thrilled that the city of Barcelona receives it in such an honorable way. It makes us especially excited to remember his passage through the gallery, which never goes unnoticed.
At the end of 2016, Jaume Plensa held his first exhibition at Galeria SENDA: «El Bosc Blanc», after 7 years without exhibiting in Barcelona, his hometown. Plensa presented a work that confronted what is shown with what is hidden, the past with the future, the natural construction with the creation by the hand of man, and the sound vibration with silence.
Gallery view, 2016
Gallery view, 2016
The exhibition consisted of various sculptures of young, female faces representing individuality within the social collectivity. The white pieces, “Lou“, “Duna” and “Isabella“, seemed to float on the floor and were complemented by graphite drawings on the wall. Plensa sought for the viewer to connect with the pieces and find their own path through the works placed in the space.
At the end of 2020, he returned to present a new exhibition «La Llarga Nit» at Galeria SENDA, in which he praised the mysterious time of the night, capable of inspiring the soul of poets. The works in the exhibition presented sleeping and silent figures, with a lyrical and contemplative dimension. Plensa suggests that, by having to stop the machinery of doing, humanity is putting into function the machinery of thinking, generating new ways of living in the world. The exhibition included suspended sculptures, works on paper, among other works.
Gallery view, 2020
Gallery view, 2020
In addition, beyond the exhibitions, Plensa accompanied us on two occasions last year. The first time he participated with Javier Molins in a talk that took place at the gallery on the occasion of the presentation of the book “Artists in the Nazi camps”. In this talk, Plensa and Molins shared their reflections on the work of artists who were victims of the Holocaust and its importance in the history of art. The second occasion was also in 2022, when he participated in another talk together with photographer Jean-Marie del Moral and journalist Màrius Carol during the presentation of the book «Interior, 2022» by By Publications. In this #SENDATalks, they shared their experiences and reflections on art and creativity in today’s world.
However, even further back in time, in 2017, German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol and Jaume Plensa met on the gallery’s mezzanine to talk about «Sculptures and Public Space» in a dialogue about their trajectory and their interest in promoting sculpture as a value for society and culture.
We are grateful to have been able to witness Plensa‘s unwavering commitment to contemporary art and the opportunity to present his work in a gallery in his own city.
Last Wednesday, La Central Llibreria de Barcelona was the setting for the presentation of the latest monograph by Jordi Bernadó, “Project ID”. The event, in collaboration with the Museu Nacional De Catalunya and galeria SENDA, with the participation of the journalist Sergio Vila San Juan.
Jordi Bernadó is a photographer with a cosmopolitan and curious vision, a tireless traveler who has left his mark on the world of photography contemporary. One of his latest works, ID Project , was exhibited at the MNAC during the summer of 2022, and has become in the central axis of a publication that explores the complete work of this artist.
What makes Bernadó’s work so interesting is his “relational” approach. Instead of simply capturing images of his subjects, Bernadó acts as an intermediary between the subject and the audience, asking the subject to choose the place where he wants to be photographed. The result is a stage inhabited by a single person, whose identity is not revealed in the image, but in the accompanying text, written by Laura Ferrero.
This approach creates a territory of social experimentation and offers an alternative to the uniformity of human behavior. Instead of simply observing the subjects, Bernadó involves them in the creative process and makes them full participants in the final result. It is an approach that seeks to establish a relationship of trust between the photographer and the subject, and that allows the final image to be a truer and more authentic representation of the person being photographed.
Alejandro Castellote, for his part, carries out an acute and multifaceted analysis of Bernadó’s career, exploring the different readings that can be made of his work and his artistic approach. The publication, co-published with the MNAC in Barcelona and in collaboration with the Senda gallery in Barcelona, is a work that not only explores the work of an artist, but also delves into the very nature of photography and its ability to connect with the world around us.
During the presentation, Bernadó explained this “relational” approach and how this technique allows him to involve his subjects in the creative process and create more authentic and true images. He also spoke of his love of travel and exploration, and how it has influenced his work. It was an opportunity to discover the work of a unique artist in the world of contemporary photography. “ID Project” is a monograph that not only explores Bernadó’s work, but also delves into the very nature of photography and its ability to connect us with the world around us.
A peek into Elena del Rivero‘s studio in the heart of the East Village reveals walls adorned with her latest works of art and several unfinished pieces, each a testament to his artistic prowess.
Valencian artist Elena Del Rivero was kind enough to invite us into her studio in the heart of the East Village , share with us their latest work and pamper ourselves with a cup of tea. As we sat and drank, we talked about the latest art trends in New York, her life in the city, and her relationship with Spain. Each turn of the conversation shedding new light on the vicissitudes of her singular artistic career.
Elena’s visit was not only an opportunity for us to catch up on the latest happenings in the art world, but also to learn about her ongoing projects. Before leaving the studio, Del Rivero shared with us his latest project, “Home Address,” a tribute to the suffragette movement that was presented the next day at New York City Hall for International Women’s Day.
