A retrospective of 25 years of the major works by Miquel Barceló

“My life resembles the surface of my paintings”. To understand the mysterious, diverse and provocative creative experience of Miquel Barceló (Felanitx, Majorca, 1957) is the raison d’être of this exhibition. Organised by ”la Caixa” Social and Cultural Outreach Projects, the display offers more than 180 pieces, from the huge canvasses created from 1983 onwards to his most recent works.

One of the latest, the monumental sculpture Gran Elefant dret (2009), invites the visitor from its site in the public square that provides access to CaixaForum Madrid to enter the exhibition and live Barceló’s work: his relationship with nature and matter and the use he makes of them in his practice; his evolution in representing the animal and human worlds, and his journeys, both physical and mental, ranging from Paris to Mali. Miquel Barceló. 1983-2009 includes experimental and even private objects, placed alongside key works, above all paintings, but including ceramics and sculptures, gouaches, watercolours, drawings, posters, books and travel books. Exhibited together, to underline the rhythm and variety of his career.

The display, curated by Catherine Lampert, has had the artist’s direct collaboration in the selection of the works. Moreover, he has loaned a number of canvasses from his own collection, which has resulted in the exhibition becoming quite an event. Miquel Barceló. 1983-2009 will subsequently travel to CaixaForum Barcelona, where it may be seen as from July 2010.

 The Miquel Barceló. 1983-2009. La solitude organisative exhibition, organised by ”la Caixa” Social and Cultural Outreach Projects and curated by Catherine Lampert, can be seen at CaixaForum Madrid (Paseo del Prado, 36) from 10 February to 13 June 2010. It will subsequently travel to CaixaForum Barcelona.