Calleja, Javier | Up To You, 2020 — available on Composition Gallery

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Mixed media screen-print with lithography, printed on Heritage Book white 315gsm paper. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist.

Up To You by Javier Calleja, created in 2020, is a mixed media screen print with lithography on Heritage Book white 315gsm paper. Measuring nearly a meter tall, the piece resembles a torn notebook page, featuring Calleja’s signature character with oversized green eyes and playful proportions. The figure raises a hand in a gesture that reads both casual and ironic, wearing a shirt with the bold phrase “UP TO YOU.” Doodles in the lower left and a floating shape above suggest spontaneity and childlike creativity, reinforcing Calleja’s themes of innocence, choice, and emotional ambiguity. This edition is limited to 75 prints.

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

Up To You, 2020

Name: Up To You, 2020
SKU: 16050

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Mixed Media

Mixed MediaMixed media refers to artwork that incorporates more than one medium within a single piece. Unlike multimedia art, which combines distinct forms of visual art and often includes elements like sound, video, or digital media, mixed media focuses on combining traditional art materials, such as paint, ink, and collage. Mixed media art allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects and textures by layering and blending different materials.

Edition

Edition of 75

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●Inventory 16050

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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 Rene Magritte

What is Surrealism?

Surrealism began in the 1920s as an art and literary movement with the goal of revealing the unconscious mind and unleashing the imagination by exploring unusual and dream-like imagery. Influenced by Sigmund Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis, Surrealist artists and writers sought to bring the unconscious into rational life, blurring the lines between reality and dreams. The movement aimed to challenge conventional perceptions and express the irrational aspects of the human experience.

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Javier Calleja

Up To You, 2020

98.1 x 65.8 cm

Language & Currency

Javier Calleja