Descripción del Artista
Sal Mallen or Salvador Mallen i Civit (Catalan: [səlβəˈðo məˈllen]) (Tarragona June 12th 1972) is a Catalan artist known for his multidisciplinary artwork and his activism as a Human Rights defender. He lived through a stormy time in the history of his native Catalonia. His sculptures, paintings, drawings and designs embrace an endless need to explore aesthetics and beauty and to learn new ways of understanding it.
Education
Sal Mallen has been a visual artist since childhood, showcasing exceptional drawing skills at an early age. However, his artistic development faced challenges within the confines of a traditional Catholic school under the rule of the Spanish Dictatorship. These restrictive circumstances hindered his growth as an artist. Seeking an environment that suited his creative inclinations, he transitioned through various schools until finding solace in technology studies. Sal Mallen pursued a Technician's Specialist Degree focusing on Industrial Mastery Delineation; further studies followed this in Industrial Design Engineering at the James I University and subsequently attained a Master of Fine Arts degree at the Fine Arts faculty of Sant Carles of the Technical University of Valencia. Furthermore, he started the art doctorate in contemporary art that still needs to be completed.
Work
1986–1994
Mallen sold his first artwork at 14, commissioned by a fashion shop in Tarragona. At 16, he won an art scholarship to attend a Jewelry Design School in Milan granted by the Institut Mediterrani de la Moda de Tarragona, where he attended evening classes after high school hours. But because of his young age, he couldn't participate in the scholarship. In 1991 and 1992, Mallen worked at an architecture practice directed by Xavier Balanyà. In 1993 he joined a jewellery design internship mentored by Otto Jakob, an artist whose thorough grasp of beauty in the harmony of materials, colours and proportions strongly influenced Mallen.[1]
In 1994 Mallen won the first prize in Sculpture for James I University, and in 1995 he moulded and placed it in its current location.[2] "Dona dominant el Cel i la Terra" (English: "Woman conquering Heaven and Earth") is a monumental sculpture which depicts a classic Greek-style feminine face, half submerged in the ground. The artwork measures 5 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 1.50 meters in height, weighing approximately 20 tons of massive concrete. The sculpture symbolizes the resurgence of women's power and confidence in pursuing gender equality. By portraying the face as both emerging from and submerged in the earth, it signifies women's hidden potential and strength yet to be fully recognized. The artwork represents women's ability to conquer celestial and earthly realms, transcending societal limitations and breaking barriers.
"Dona dominant el Cel i la Terra" is a visual embodiment of the artist's vision to empower women and inspire confidence, advocating for equal rights and opportunities. It stands as a symbol of the ongoing struggle and progress towards achieving gender equality. Mallen's sculpture has garnered attention for its powerful representation and has become a notable work within the artist's portfolio. It is thought-provoking, inviting viewers to reflect on the significance of women's empowerment and their role in society. It marked the inception of a revitalized classicism infused with a post-modern sensibility. Notably, Mallen pioneered the creation of large-scale sculptures that exude an impression of partial submersion, accentuating the profound impact of weathering and the passage of time. This distinctive artistic approach subsequently served as an influential catalyst for other sculptors.
1995–2002 Feet on the Ground: Realism and Design.
In January 1996, Mallen joined the board of engineering class representatives at James I University and successfully added the right of the design students to build prototypes in natural materials and measurements, which he defended as the proper way to practice and learn. That year he began constructing his designs in wood, metal and plastics, shown in 1997 and 1998 at the València International Furniture, Nude.[4]
In 1997 Mallen rented a studio in Castelló de la Plana, which he used until 2009. In 1998 Mallen was granted a University scholarship to improve the style and design of the James I University magazine, which became a success among the students. Furthermore, he used this redesign process as part of the undergraduate thesis project 1999.[5]
In 2001 Mallen began the Master of Fine Arts at the Sant Carles Faculty of Fine Arts at the Technical University of Valencia, where he perfected drawing, painting and sculpting techniques.
In 2002 Mallen began working on large-format canvas. He began teaching art at EPA Betxí, which from 2003 to 2006, became oil painting technique classes strictly.
Triggered by his first public sculpture [2], Mallen embarked on his realism period, exploring various art disciplines, which culminated in his inaugural solo exhibition titled "trocets de vida, desig i relitat" (English: "bits of life, desire, and reality") held in Castelló de la Plana in 2002.[3]
The exhibition showcased 50 artworks across a reception area and a large room. Upon entering the show, visitors were greeted by a captivating four-by-four-meter wall painting in Mallen's signature black ink style. Surrounding the walls and ceilings were dozens of barn swallows, also painted in the same fashion. As it was May, the chirping birds flying outside the exhibition created an immersive experience, blurring the lines between art and reality.
Continuing into the large adjoining room, the centrepiece was a striking four-by-four-by-six-meter realistic painting of a sleeping young woman occupying the entire back wall. On both sides and at eye level, handwritten poems by Antoni Albalat, a renowned poet in the Catalan-Valencian language known for his sensual themes, added depth. This painting invited and provoked visitors to approach and touch the wall, blurring the boundaries between the artwork and the viewer. The written lines surrounding the observer created a visual horizon, enhancing the immersive effect.
The exhibition layout encouraged visitors to navigate back and forth, engaging with the spatial arrangement of the artworks while reading the accompanying text. Furthermore, on the way back towards the exit, observers would notice 42 small framed sketches depicting real-time sketches of the artist's friends and lovers, showcasing various styles and sizes.
The exhibition generated substantial controversy when a father protested, claiming to recognize one of the depicted sketches as his daughter, a famous opera singer in the city who was just eighteen years old, to preserve her identity. However, his protest inadvertently exposed her identity, resulting in a significant backlash.
The exhibition "trocets de vida, desig i relitat" sparked intense discussions and left a lasting impact, showcasing Mallen's talent for realism and his ability to create immersive environments that blur the lines between art and reality.
2003–2009 Flying Imagination: Abstract and Expressionist Landscapes.
In 2003, Mallen collaborated with the esteemed writer and poet Antoni Albalat Salanova, creating the book titled "tords." Albalat contributed Haiku poetry in the Catalan language, while Mallen took charge of the book's design and added ink illustrations. These illustrations serve as a Zen contemplation of birds in nature, encompassing themes of beauty and love [6].
The project was born out of Mallen's dedicated study of Japanese and Chinese ink-wash painting techniques and his exploration of Zen meditation practices. This extensive research and introspection spanned from 2001 to 2003, providing Mallen with the necessary foundation to create the evocative ink illustrations that enrich the pages of "tords." The book is a testament to Mallen's artistic prowess and ability to convey beauty through visual and literary mediums.[7]
In 2006, Mallen achieved first prize in the CEVISAMA 2006 International Industrial Design and Technological Innovation competition for his project titled "Vida" (English: "Life"). The jury recognized the project's groundbreaking approach to tiles, moving away from two-dimensionality and introducing sinuous curves that bring the tiles to life. This design gives the impression that the tiles flow off the wall, departing from the traditional rigidity of tiles.[8]
The jury also appreciated the elegant shape of the tiles and the innovative conception process. The versatility of these tiles is evident as they can be easily split into smaller modules, providing endless possibilities for creative combinations. Additionally, they can be freely combined with commercially available 20x20cm tiles, enabling their use in various applications, such as creating borders or coverings for exterior walls or roofs.
Notably, the "Vida" tiles offer practical benefits for improving living conditions. Changing the filling in the relief provides heat and sound insulation. Moreover, their unique shape helps to dampen sound indoors, enhancing acoustic comfort.
Salvador Mallén's "Vida" project garnered the prestigious Indistile Prize for its significant contribution to ceramic tile design. The project's elegant shape, unconventional design approach, and meticulous conception process were highly complimented. The versatility of the tiles, including their potential for housing water pipes and high-tech cabling, showcases their adaptability for future applications.
In 2008, Mallen unveiled a new solo exhibition entitled "Colors." The exhibition showcased a series of monotype artworks the artist had worked on since 2006. These unique landscape prints were created through Mallen's individual process, which involved blending oil, pigment, and printmaking colours.
However, the exhibition faced a setback when the city government censored it the morning before the scheduled inauguration. The censorship was triggered by the political and environmental statements made by the artist in the exhibition poster: "...in a town where the trees are exchanged for parking-lots, the stars are hidden behind over-lighting street-lights and where the highway seems more important than the path you walk, ...the landscapes are to be imagined, with colors."
Mallen's words, which criticized the town's prioritization of parking lots over trees, the excessive street lighting obscuring the stars, and the dominance of highways over pedestrian paths, sparked controversy.
The censorship decision generated significant outrage among local artists and the artistic community. Eventually, due to mounting pressure, the City Mayor agreed to reopen the exhibition after a two-month delay.
The incident surrounding the "Colors" exhibition highlighted the intersection between art, politics, and the environment. Mallen's bold statements and the subsequent censorship underscored the power of artistic expression to provoke thought, challenge societal norms, and spark meaningful discussions about the urban landscape and its impact on nature and the human experience.[9]
From 2007 to 2009, Mallen undertook the redesign, construction, and completion of the urban sculpture known as "espai cúbic" (English: "cubic space"). This project had previously won the first prize for the James I University Campus entrance in 2001.[10] "espai cúbic" comprises nine metallic cubes of varying sizes and positions, all inclined at the same angle. Some cubes give the impression of being submerged in the ground, while others defy gravity by standing on a vertex. Some cubes appear to be flying, attached to the exterior fence of the Campus.
Mallen used hardened stainless steel from the 30s series for the cubes in contact with pedestrians. This choice allowed other artists to intervene and interact with the sculptures, as demonstrated in 2012 when a renowned skater and artist showcased a series of pictures while skateboarding on one of the cubes' faces. In the non-walking area, the sculptor employed a steel structure with a specially designed surface that allows air to pass through. Although they appear massive from a distance, these large cubes incorporate a unique system of hidden reflecting sheets. This system reacts to light sources such as passing vehicles or a flash from a camera, refracting the light in the same direction from which it originates. This phenomenon creates the illusion of changing colours, transitioning from metallic hues to shades of red, blue, or yellow depending on the cube's face. The sculpture quickly gained popularity, and a well-known art critic and aesthetics professor Rosalia Torrent provided a compelling analysis of its artistic merits and impact.[11]
This deliberate choice of the same inclination and the proportions of the cubes holds symbolic significance, drawing connections to celestial bodies and natural formations. The ratios of the nine cubes relate to the solar system's nine planets, evoking a sense of cosmic harmony. Each cube represents a celestial entity, and their arrangement reflects the intricate balance and order in the cosmic realm. This connection to the solar system adds a layer of cosmic symbolism to the sculpture, inviting viewers to contemplate the vastness of the universe and its place within it.
Furthermore, the resemblance of the cubic structure to the crystalline forms of pyrite, a mineral known for its cubic crystal habit, adds to the sculpture's visual intrigue. The cubes' geometric precision and clean lines echo the natural symmetry of pyrite crystals, creating a visual dialogue between the man-made artwork and the patterns observed in the natural world. This juxtaposition highlights the interplay between human creativity and the inherent beauty of the natural environment.
Additionally, the presence of some cubes seemingly submerged in the ground adds an element of mystery and depth to the composition. It suggests a connection between the earthly and aquatic realms, invoking notions of hidden depths and unseen forces. This submerged aspect invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of elements and the constant ebb and flow of life.
Through its precise proportions, allusions to celestial bodies, resemblance to cubic pyrite crystals, and inclusion of submerged elements, "espai cúbic" embodies a multi-layered artistic expression. It encourages contemplation of the universe's vastness, the beauty found in natural formations, and the ever-changing dynamics of existence.
2009-2016 Multiculturality and Multidisciplinary
At the end of 2009, Mallen closed the art studio in Castelló de la Plana and moved to central Europe, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, where he started several art and design projects since 2007.
From 2007 to 2016, Mallen produced his furniture designs in limited series in Radomsko, Poland and Brno, Czech Republic. Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden
In 2010, Sal Mallen held a solo art exhibition at the Bea Laufersweiler Museum in Baden-Baden, his first solo exhibition in Germany. The museum titled the show "Von Miró zum Mallén" (English: "From Miró to Mallen") coincided with the closing of an extensive exhibition on Joan Miró at the Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden. This parallel timing was significant as both artists hailed from Catalonia. Mallen's presentation provided a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the artistic journeys of both Miró and Mallen, showcasing their distinct styles and contributions to the art world. Mallen's exhibitions have garnered acclaim for their transformative nature, transcending traditional notions of art display and immersing viewers in captivating art installations. Mallen's artistic philosophy aims to enhance and enrich the surrounding space, seamlessly integrating it into the overall artistic experience. This approach encourages active engagement from the viewers, blurring the boundaries between the artwork and the physical environment in which it is showcased.
In 2011 two entrepreneurs became deeply impressed by the quality and diverse range of Sal Mallen's artistic endeavours. They were aware of Mallen's refusal to be listed in a traditional art gallery which tends to pigeonhole artists, and his extensive work across various art, design, and sculpture styles and disciplines made aligning with any specific art movement or group of artists challenging. Motivated by Mallen's unique artistic approach, these investors approached him with a proposition to establish an exclusive Art Gallery dedicated solely to showcasing his work. Recognizing the opportunity to exhibit his creations in a manner that respected his diverse artistic expressions, Mallen agreed to collaborate with the entrepreneurs in creating this specialized gallery. The location chosen for this endeavour was Essen-Werden, Germany; Mallen designed the space and directed the architectural modifications of the local.
Between 2012 and 2014, the establishment of ARTgalleryEssen marked a significant turning point in Mallen's career, providing him with a dedicated platform to exhibit his multifaceted artistry.[12] The gallery allowed viewers to appreciate the breadth and depth of Mallen's artistic capabilities across various disciplines, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and boundary-pushing artist.
By creating an Art Gallery exclusively for Sal Mallen's work, the entrepreneurs aimed to allow art enthusiasts to explore the distinctiveness and innovative nature of Mallen's creations, ultimately bridging the gap between his diverse artistic styles and the conventional art gallery scene. List of art exhibitions at ARTgalleryEssen:
2012-12-08 "cuines"(Catalan) (English: "kitchens"). [12, cuines]
2013-02-19 "landscapes". [12, landscapes]
2013-04-23 "Sumi-e"(Japanese). [12, Sumi-e]
2013-07 "sommer"(German) (English: summer").
2013-11 "refraction".
2013-12 "100artists". Collective exhibition of a hundred artists from the Fine Arts University in València.
2014-01-26 "LOVEfebruary".
2014-03 "ARTgallery in Märs".
In early 2014, Sal Mallen assumed control of ARTgalleryEssen for three months, initiating an experimental collaboration with musicians, dancers, choreographers, and artists from the Folkwang University of the Arts. The gallery showcased 79 performances between February and April, merging various artistic forms and fostering a vibrant atmosphere of creative exploration.
The three-month experiment at ARTgalleryEssen is a testament to Mallen's innovative approach and commitment to pushing traditional art exhibitions' boundaries. By bridging different artistic disciplines and merging them with his artworks, Mallen created an engaging and dynamic environment that celebrated the diversity and creativity of the participating artists.
This unique collaboration pushed the boundaries of traditional exhibitions, celebrated diversity, and left a lasting impact on artists and visitors, emphasizing the transformative power of interdisciplinary art.
At the end of March 2014, Mallen closed the ARTgalleryEssen, which achieved a significant milestone by securing the top position in Google search results for art galleries in the region throughout the entire year. Notably, the gallery accomplished this without any investment in advertising, highlighting its strong online presence. This achievement is particularly remarkable considering that ARTgalleryEssen surpassed the popularity of the renowned Folkwang Museum, a leading art institution in the highly populated North Rhine-Westphalia. The gallery's success in online search rankings underscores its growing prominence and recognition among art enthusiasts, solidifying its position as a notable player in the regional art scene.
From March 2013 to the end of 2016, Mallen negotiated with the city government of Sieradz to repurpose an abandoned building and restore it into a multifunctional space comprising a cultural centre, business hub, and boutique hotel. This ambitious project aimed to revitalize the vacant structure and breathe new life into the community by providing spaces for artistic expression, fostering entrepreneurial activities, and catering to the hospitality needs of visitors. Mallen's vision encompassed the integration of various sectors to create a vibrant and dynamic hub that would contribute to the cultural and economic development of Sieradz, making it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike. [14]
Between 2008 and 2011, Mallen served as a creativity coach at IESE Business School and the University of Navarra, where he gave lectures in both Barcelona and Madrid. In 2014, Mallen expanded his role to include teaching in art workshops. These week-long workshops focused on helping students improve their observation, analysis, and artwork creation skills. Mallen provided personalized coaching to each student, guiding them in developing their artistic abilities. Through his expertise and support, Mallen played a crucial role in nurturing workshop participants' artistic growth and creativity, impacting their creative journeys. [15]
2017-2023 Family, Catalonia and art school
On September 11th, 2017, Mallen moved to Catalonia with his Canadian partner and their children. Mallen was disturbed about the Spanish government's recent attacks towards the Catalans; hence he offered to assist in the upcoming October 1st referendum.
On September 11th, 2017, Mallen relocated to Catalonia with his Canadian partner and their children. Concerned by the Spanish government's attacks against the Catalans, he offered assistance in the upcoming October 1st referendum. The referendum aimed to determine public sentiment regarding Catalan independence. Mallen's involvement reflected his commitment to social and political issues, highlighting his journey's intersection of art and activism. Mallen began teaching art for the "Departament d'Educació" of the "Generalitat de Catalunya" on September 25th, 2017.
In 2019, Mallen, with the born of his third son, began designing eco-friendly family homes and collaborating with central European architects to create passive buildings with low environmental impact. His focus on sustainable design reflects his commitment to responsible construction practices and minimizing the ecological footprint of residential spaces. By integrating innovative architectural techniques and energy-efficient features, Mallen aims to promote sustainable living and contribute to the preservation of the environment. [16]
In early 2023 Mallen opened his art studio in Tarragona. Currently, Mallen is also employed as an art teacher at the EADR (Escola d'Art i Disseny a Reus) (English: Art and Design College), where he has taught since 2021. [17]
Exposición. 17 dic de 2024 - 16 mar de 2025 / Museo Picasso Málaga / Málaga, España
Formación. 01 oct de 2024 - 04 abr de 2025 / PHotoEspaña / Madrid, España
