BIOGRAPHY
Who is Xavier Sala Aponte?
Born in Barcelona in 1964, he made his first pencil drawings as a young man and his studies were directed towards technical drawing and later towards technical engineering. He picked up his first brushes at the age of 22 and combined his professional life with his passion for art.
Now, after more than three decades of starting his artistic career, he decided to make his work known in its entirety and show it to the public in order to embark professionally in the world of art. In the first years of dedication, his training was solely self-taught, learning from publications and books of the time and visiting numerous museums.
In the last 15 years his training has been continued, thanks to the resources available today.
His artistic career is made up of three very different stages:
In his first stage he made oil work, mainly personal, family and almost always figurative work. He made a series of works on urban landscape themes of the city of Barcelona and taking advantage of the celebration of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, he decided to exhibit and make himself known.
Unfortunately, the exhibition was never held.
In the second stage he dedicated himself to the study and reproduction of works of trends ranging from impressionism to expressionism, cubism and fauvism. He made reproductions of some of the most famous works of Picasso, Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, Tamara Lempica, Toulouese Lautrec, Miro, Piet Mondrian and Jean Helion among others.
It was a stage of learning and personal growth that helped him integrate the pictorial techniques of the works studied into his palette.
His third and current stage focuses on the creation of original paintings, versions of classics and creating sculptural works.
From painting he seeks striking and at the same time everyday themes, ranging from nudes to landscapes or scenes of denunciation of current events.
Sculpture is interested in the reuse of materials to create a series of works that seek to safeguard the simplicity and everyday life before digitalization, reminding us of the passage of time through simple and easily accessible materials.
Projects:
Sala is currently working on a series of works dedicated to reworking the great classics of the Renaissance to give them a new, particular vision. Some examples of the updating of Renaissance works already made and available are, “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli, “Leda and the Swan”, “Eve in the original sin” by Alberto Durero, the Pietà by Michelangelo Buonarroti and the descent of Jesus Christ among others.
Declaration of Styles
I do not believe in the need for a unique and recognizable pictorial style. I reject labels that limit creativity and prefer to define myself as a multifaceted painter, in constant evolution.
My work moves freely, exploring the themes that I am passionate about without restrictions or pre-established formulas. However, there is a common thread that unites all my work: the human being. Their stories, beliefs, emotions and desires are the essence of my art. Through painting, I seek to capture their beauty in all its dimensions, from joy to tragedy.
Declaration of Intent
Why do we create art? From the first manifestations on the walls of In the caves, the image has been a powerful tool to tell stories without words.
That is the purpose of my work: to excite, to move and to narrate through painting. Each work is an invitation to feel, to reflect, to immerse oneself in a story. My goal is for the viewer not only to look, but to experience the power of the image and find in it a reflection of their own humanity.
My influences
My influences are endless, as there have been artists in the history of art. I try to learn from all of them and I greatly value the richness of their legacies. From the classics like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, whose technical mastery and understanding of the human body inspire me, to the impressionists like Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, who teach me to play with light and color.
I also find inspiration in the avant-garde movements of the 20th century, such as the cubism of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, which challenge me to break down and reinterpret reality, and the surrealism of Salvador Dalí, which invites me to explore dreamlike worlds and limitless imagination. In contemporary times, I admire the versatility and innovation of artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei and Banksy, who use their art as a means of expression and social protest. In addition, I cannot fail to mention the impact of cultures and artistic traditions from different parts of the world, which enrich my vision and broaden my creative horizon.
I feel fortunate to have this vast artistic legacy at my disposal, which provides me with an inexhaustible source of learning and inspiration. Each artist, each movement, each work contributes to my development as a multifaceted painter, allowing me to approach my own creations with a unique and multifaceted perspective.
Xavier Sala