Calleja, Javier | No Art Here, 2020 — available on Composition Gallery

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Resin, steel, string and acrylic paint. Not signed or numbered.

A big-eyed boy character — orange-fringed hair under a red beanie, blue T-shirt, white trousers, brown boots — stands holding a small picket sign carefully hand-lettered NO ART HERE. Calleja's signature character delivers the gallery joke in a single, sculptural punchline: art declares its own absence. Resin, steel, string and acrylic paint. The figure plays at art-school humour while precisely formed as collectable sculpture. To acquire a Calleja is to bring home one of Spain's most beloved contemporary voices working at the border of cuteness and conceptualism.

Javier Calleja (Spain, 1971) is a contemporary artist celebrated for his whimsical paintings and sculptures featuring wide-eyed characters. Blending humor and innocence, his works often incorporate text, creating playful interactions between image and word. Calleja’s distinctive style has earned him international acclaim, with exhibitions in leading galleries worldwide.

Javier Calleja

No Art Here, 2020

Name: No Art Here, 2020
SKU: 17442
Price: 1300.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Resin

Resin Resin can be derived from both natural sources, such as pine sap, and synthetic processes. Natural resin comes from tree sap, while synthetic resin is a type of dense, easily molded plastic. Resin is commonly used in sculpture, and it can also enhance the vibrancy of paint colors.

Edition

Edition of 1000

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●Inventory 17442

●Not signed

Limited Edition Print

Javier Calleja, born in 1971 in Málaga, Spain, is a contemporary artist renowned for his distinct visual language that often combines playful innocence with complex themes. He studied Fine Arts at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, where he honed his skills under mentors like Juan Carlos Eguillor and Manolo Valdés. Over time, Calleja has diversified his artistic mediums, transitioning from traditional painting to including drawings, sculptures, and installations in his repertoire.

His work is characterized by whimsical characters with oversized heads and diminutive bodies, situated in dreamlike environments. Despite their seemingly simplistic appearance, these characters explore multifaceted themes ranging from identity and the human psyche to the intricacies of daily life. Calleja uses irony and humor as effective tools to delve into deeper, more existential issues, making his art accessible yet profound.

Calleja’s works are a fusion of various art movements such as Surrealism, Cubism, and Pop Art, but they maintain a unique flair that sets him apart. His art has garnered international attention, captivating audiences across continents. With an expanding portfolio and a continually growing following, Calleja remains a significant figure in contemporary art, continuously challenging and engaging viewers with his emotive and intellectually stimulating creations.

Artwork by Alex Katz

What is figurative art?

Sometimes known as Figurativism, figurative art refers to sculptures and paintings that are clearly or specifically derived from real objects, making them representational. The term figurative art is often used in contrast to abstract art. However, since the emergence of abstract art, figurative art has come to describe any form of modern art that has strong references to the real world or actual situations.

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Javier Calleja

No Art Here, 2020

30 x 30 x 15 cm

Language & Currency

Javier Calleja