Calleja, Javier | Pop Top Planter and Flower Vase, 2021 — available on Composition Gallery

Ceramic flower vase and planter pot with blue glass eyes. Artist's stamped signature on the underside.

A pair of white ceramic head-vessels: each with Calleja's signature big round royal-blue glass eyes, a small button nose and pursed mouth; one with a short pin-bowl haircut, the other with a long bob. They stand side by side as planter and flower vase. Ceramic with blue glass eyes, artist's stamped signature on the underside. Calleja's character-as-object pieces have become some of the most beloved sculptural multiples in contemporary collecting. A confident, irresistibly charming acquisition for any contemporary collection that values the meeting of pop iconography with everyday usefulness.

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

Pop Top Planter and Flower Vase, 2021

Name: Pop Top Planter and Flower Vase, 2021
SKU: 17492

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

Ceramic

CeramicCeramic is a term used to describe objects made from clay or other inorganic materials. These objects can be either decorative or functional and have been created since at least 4,000 B.C. Ceramic art involves making, decorating, and firing these objects in a kiln, a special high-temperature oven.

Edition

Edition of 100

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●Inventory 17492

●Stamped by artist's estate

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 Miles Aldridge

What is contemporary art?

Contemporary art refers to avant-garde or innovative art created in the recent past or present day. The exact starting point of contemporary art varies depending on the institution, often tied to the founding year of museums or galleries that showcase the style. Contemporary art is characterized by its focus on current ideas, diverse media, and the exploration of new concepts and techniques.

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Javier Calleja