JAVIER CALLEJA (Málaga, 1971).
"Nice day", 2016.
Silkscreen on paper. Exemplary P.T.
Framed work with museum glass.
Signed, dated and justified.
Measurements: 16 x 21 cm; 25 x 30,5 cm (frame).
This work by Javier Calleja, Malaga artist known for his pop and humorous style, presents an intriguing and enigmatic composition. On a completely black background, evoking the vastness of space or emptiness, a small blue oval stands out in the center, decorated with white clouds, reminiscent of the daytime sky. This simple but evocative shape resembles a window to another dimension or an alternative space of serenity.
At the top, discreetly but visibly, one can read the text "NICE DAY" written upside down, adding a playful and disconcerting element. This detail seems to invite the viewer to reflect on perception, orientation and how small moments of joy or calm are found even in seemingly dark or empty environments. The work combines graphic minimalism with a subtly optimistic message, characteristic of Calleja's work, who manages to convey deep emotions with simple visual elements.
Javier Calleja is an artist from Malaga, Spain, artistically trained at the University of Granada, where he graduated in Fine Arts in 2000. Since the beginning of his artistic career his works have attracted the attention of critics and the public, thus becoming one of the most sought after artists nationally and internationally. He held his first exhibition in 2002, participating in the group show Arte más joven, "Instituto Andaluz de la Juventud (IAJ)" Almeria, Jaen and Seville, Spain IAJ Granada, and only a year later (2003) held his first solo exhibition entitled "Recuperar la mirada", Carmen de la Victoria, University of Granada. These exhibitions were followed by many others, both nationally and internationally, highlighting among them; 'Play room' held at the CAC Malaga, held in 2008, Fast food, at Galerie Zink, Germany (2015), No cartoons tonight, Art on paper Fair (solo project), at Castor Gallery, New York (2016), Do not touch, at Nanzuka Gallery, Tokyo (2018), F*ck You, Nanzuka EchoOne, Nanzuka Gallery, in Bangkok (2018), Javier Calleja, Solo exhibition, at Aisho/Nanzuka, Hong Kong (2019) and Those Little things, Artist residency, Dio Horia, in Mykonos. In addition, Calleja, has participated in several of the most important fairs in Spain, such as; ARCO (2020), Estampa (2019) and Urbanity Art (2020). His work has been acquired by numerous private collectors, and also by relevant institutions such as Banco Sabadell, the Diputación de Málaga, DKV Collection, Marset Collection, the CAB of Burgos, the CAC of Málaga, Unicaja, the Junta de Andalucía and the University of Granada. It should be noted that during the COVID, Calleja offered for sale several figures known with Art toy, in order to donate the proceeds to those affected by the pandemic. Calleja's work is characterized by a naive language, which receives some influence of surrealist and pop character. In it one can appreciate the interest in the childish presence, accompanied in many of the occasions of text. This characteristic invites the viewer to reflect on the images she proposes, delving into a conceptual meaning that goes beyond the obvious. At first his works focused on installation and mural painting, although he also works in other smaller formats such as sculpture and drawing.