XOXO: Collective exhibition including new works by Bel Fullana, Fátima de Juan, Christina Allan & Matija Bobičić
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FÁTIMA DE JUAN
Fátima de Juan
Fátima de Juan (Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 1984) is an artist based in Mallorca.
Her first contact with the world of painting was through graffiti as a teenager under the alter ego Xena. Years later she studied illustration at the School of Arts and Crafts in Palma and graphic design in Madrid.
The representation of women is a constant in all her work, a strong woman with big arms, exuberant features and claws, reflecting an attitude that exudes femininity, sweetness and brute strength.Nature, the exotic, the primitive, the naive, the erotic, the tropical, fantasy and magic coexist in her personal universe through bright colours and velvety textures that give it an almost real and naive dimension at the same time. Ancestral elements such as fruit, jars, stones, swords... coexist with more "aesthetic", street and futuristic elements that make up the artist's dreamlike imaginary, full of contrasts and sweetly aggressive self-portraits.
She has exhibited all over the world in solo exhibitions as “Pretty Thug” L21 Palma, Palma de Mallorca (2022) y “Don’t disturb me, I’m blooming” en L21 Barcelona (2023). Exposiciones colectivas incluyen “Brillant New Faces” Allouche Gallery, Los Angeles (2023); “Stronger Than Language”, Galerie Romero Paprocki, Paris (2022); «Food Obsession», Urvanity Projects and Gärna Art Gallery, Madrid (2022); “Portraits and monochromes”, ARTUAL, Lebanon (2022); “PED TALKS”, 42 Art Space, Hong Kong (2022); “Exodus”, K11 Musea and Gallery Ascend, Hong Kong (2022); “Eating Sugar? No, papa!”, L21, Palma de Mallorca (2021); “Oh baby!”, Breach, Miami (2021).
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BEL FULLANA
Bel Fullana
Bel Fullana, born in Mallorca in 1985, graduated in Fine Arts with a specialization in painting from the University of Sant Jordi in Barcelona.
Known for her paintings of imaginary female characters in warrior-like attitudes, her work combines oil and spray paint in vivid colors with childlike finishes.
She has exhibited internationally in solo shows and group exhibitions in Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York, Mexico, Brazil, Santiago de Chile, Sydney, Seoul, Taiwan, Rotterdam, Athens, Denmark, Portugal, and Spain.
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MATIJA BOBICIC
Matija Bobičić
In his artistic practice, Matija Bobičić explores the intersections of science fiction, pop culture, and Balkan folklore, weaving together threads from the past, present, and future. The exhibited artworks bring together characters from his previous series, who emerge from three distinct points of departure: the archetypes of Frankenstein's monster and the cyborg, the context of the early 1990s, and the challenges of the present moment.
In addition to sci-fi archetypes, the artist draws inspiration from the world of Warhammer 40k, a tabletop game and a fictional universe. The Imperium of Man, a powerful human empire in this universe, serves as a metaphor for the control and dominance of Western culture in the Balkans. Just as the archetypes of Frankenstein's monster and the cyborg spoke to fears of change in their respective eras, the characters in Warhammer reflect our anxieties about the future and the role of technology in our lives. Drawing on the mythos of Warhammer 40k, the artist depicts these characters in a new light, infusing them with the symbolic meanings of animals such as wolves in Balkan folklore. By merging the techno-futuristic world of Warhammer with the ancient symbolism of Balkan folklore, the artist aims to create a dialogue that speaks to our shared human experience.
Bobičić’s painting style, rooted in his childhood memories and influenced by artists such as Jean Dubuffet and Jean-Michel Basquiat, reflects his fascination with the unrestrained creativity of youth.The characters in his paintings are flat, outlined in bold strokes, and filled with bright, contrasting colors that evoke a sense of childlike wonder. Yet, they are also enormous, towering over the viewer with a sense of power and presence that demands attention. Through his artworks, Bobičić invites viewers to engage with these themes and to reflect on the complex interplay of history, mythology, and contemporary culture that shapes our world.
Matija Bobičić (1987, Maribor) completed his studies in art pedagogy at the Faculty of Education in Maribor under the mentorship of Ludvik Pandur and Oto Rimele. He presented himself in the local environment with solo exhibitions such as "Dematerialized” at the Rotovž Exhibition Hall (Maribor, 2013), "Nocturnal Animals" at KID Kibla (Maribor, 2014), "Paths and Collisions" at Rigo Gallery (Novigrad, 2017), "Funny How" at Ravnikar Gallery Space (Ljubljana, 2018), and "Perfect Organisms" at UGM Studio (Maribor, 2021). Lately, he has been more active abroad, where he has exhibited in the United States with five solo exhibitions: "Under the Rainbow" at Marvin Gardens (New York, 2018), "Sneakerheads" at Marvin Gardens (New York ,2021), "Middle Aged Mutants" at Breach Gallery (Miami, 2022), "Masters Of The Wilderness" at Allouche Gallery (Los Angeles, 2022), and "Folklore" at Alchemy Gallery (New York, 2023). He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Taiwan, where he presented his work as part of the D/P/S Art Lab at the Art Taipei 2021 fair. His works were also featured at Art Miami fair with Castanier gallery. In 2023 his work was a part of a museum show “Invisible hand "at UGM (Maribor 2023) and his works also became a part of the permanent museum collection.
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CHRISTINA ALLAN
Christina Allan
With an unparalleled ability to evoke the mysterious and sinister, Christina Allan (b. 1995), driven by her personal existentialism, delves into the complexities of the human experience through paintings depicting otherworldly creatures and dimensions. Infused with a dark lens, her canvases reveal an intricate dance between the cosmic and the personal. This artistic exploration is fueled by a profound curiosity towards the mysteries of the universe and life itself, showcasing a unique and compelling perspective on the profound aspects of existence.
Bringing a spiritual dimension to her artistic practice and philosophy, Allan taps into humankind's collective and innate curiosity surrounding things that terrify and intrigue us. Her artistic domain is populated by a myriad of fantastical beings, encompassing angels, aliens, deities, spirits, and skeletal figures. Her portrayal of these entities captures both their monstrosity and beauty, evoking the concept of the sublime—a humbling experience that instills a sense of horror and smallness when confronted with grandeur. Marrying abstraction with figuration, her painted narratives draw inspiration from human culture while unfolding in a dreamlike realm, reflecting the capricious nature of existence, akin to a rigged game or fleeting dream. Ambiguous creatures inhabit an unknown world or space, prompting contemplation about their identity, existence, and underlying significance. Allan's oeuvre offers a visionary perspective into the unknown, delving into profound questions embedded in the human psyche. Her fascination with the psychological and philosophical struggles intrinsic to human existence, including the challenge of comprehending the infinite, serves as a driving force behind her creations. Influenced by her own spirituality and theories of the universe, such as the Simulation Hypothesis and the Zoo Hypothesis, along with an interest in ufology, she weaves these elements into her artistic narrative. Further, she draws inspiration from the mythologies of ancient civilizations. Viewing myths as representations of a complex, enduring human experience—a universal expression of concerns and passions—she creates painted narratives that offer an in-between space.
Much like how ancient mythological entities provided answers to the mysteries of a seemingly meaningless world, Allan's artworks become a transformative escape from the absurdity of everyday existence.
Executed with various techniques including airbrush and traditional painting, Allan's process begins with the conceptualization and design of 3D renderings and models using digital software. These digital creations serve as the foundation for her imaginative world of fantastical beings, providing a virtual space where she explores their forms, movements, and interactions. From this digital realm, Allan transitions to
the physical canvas, translating these virtual entities into vibrant, multi-layered compositions that bridge the gap between the digital and the tangible. Beyond the confines of the physical canvas, Allan creates 3D animations and videos that bring to her 3D modeled creatures to life in an ambiguous landscape, reminiscent of a psychedelic journey, simulated video game or a portal into another world.
A recipient of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Parsons the New School for Design in 2017, Allan was honored with the institution's Dean's BFA Scholarship. Her works have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions across international venues in London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Miami, New York City, and Paris, gaining a place in private collections across Asia, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Recent solo exhibitions include “COSMIC ZOO" at OMNI Gallery in London, UK, "DEAD SEA" at Alchemy Gallery in New York City, "HOT WHEELS" at Lorin Gallery in Los Angeles, and "PSYCHOPOMP" in Madrid. Allan is based in Toronto, Canada. -
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ARTISTS INCLUDED IN THIS EXHIBITION
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Press Release Text
XOXO.
Text by Laura Calvarro.I remember when my mother used to braid my hair into mini braids so that the next day I could wear it with that strange style that was fashionable in the nineties.
I also recall how she would come up to my room every night to read to me after a long day of work, or how my father made me believe that our Renault 4L was "Kitt" from the once popular TV show Knight Rider because you could dent it and the tin it was made of would return to its original shape. Or that I had psychic powers because I could lift his arm just by looking at it. I also remember both of them making funny faces with pieces of fruit to get me to eat them, and countless other things.
In life, expressions of love can take many forms.
I remember, for example, when my best friend in school used to record cassette tapes for me, or when I lived alone in college and my friends brought me Tupperware containers of food from their homes.
I began to associate all these memories when I realized that every time Seleka cooks for me, it feels like he's giving me a hug.
Whenever someone cooks something delicious for you, or sends you a song or a book, or when someone writes to you because they remember you while traveling or something good happens to them.
Even when you're enjoying quality time by yourself.
Through this exhibition, we want to celebrate those small everyday acts that, in their simplicity, hold profound meaning.
That's what 'xoxo' is all about. Hugs and kisses.
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