Description

Josep Torelló is a versatile artist and scholar from Barcelona. He holds a Ph.D. in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Barcelona, a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Art Education, and completed a postdoctoral residency at the State University of Saint Petersburg. Through this diverse academic background, he brings a rich array of experiences to his art. His artistic work, expressed in vibrant abstract compositions and captivating portraits, reflects the complexity of his career. In his abstract paintings, a powerful dynamism emerges, an orchestration of color and movement that echoes his past as a rock musician. Bold splashes of color and brushstrokes resemble visual chords, conveying emotion and rhythm onto the canvas. Meanwhile, the clear structures and complexity of his portraits testify to the precision of his academic background. In his abstract paintings, Torelló employs a technique that relies on the spontaneous use of colors and brushstrokes. The visible brushstrokes are powerful and intense, indicating a direct and uninhibited transmission of emotion onto the canvas. The colors are kept in high contrast, with a strong focus on primary colors juxtaposed with black, white, and gray tones, resulting in a highly dramatic effect. This expressive use of color and texture may evoke associations with works by artists such as Jackson Pollock or Willem de Kooning, renowned for their abstract expressionist techniques. Torelló's portraits are characterized by remarkable details and the sensitive portrayal of human figures. The faces of the subjects are rendered with a realistic accuracy that captures emotions and character traits. The contrast between the sharply defined faces and the looser, almost abstract backgrounds creates depth and complexity that captivates the eye. The colors in the faces are often more subdued and subtle than the vibrant colors of the backgrounds, directing attention to the eyes and expression. This technique reflects a classical approach to portraiture, yet the artistic approach remains contemporary. In Torelló's multifaceted creations, one discovers strategically placed text in Catalan – handwritten notes that offer an intimate glimpse into the artist's creative process during the inception of his works. These textual fragments are more than mere words; they are fragments of Torelló's world of thought, embedded within the visual composition to weave a rich narrative that transcends mere observation. This deliberate interweaving of text and visual language, creating a dialogue between his disciplines, reflects the innovative mindset of Dadaism, which challenged established boundaries of art and societal conventions. Torelló's artistic expression is a rich layering of the impulsive force of abstract expressionism and a modern interpretation of figuration and narrative. With academic acumen and a creative soul, he balances between visual beauty and conceptual depth, making his art an intellectual and emotional experience. His ability to unite the rhythm of his musical past and the analytical sharpness of his academic endeavors in his paintings allows viewers to immerse themselves in a world where each image is both a reflection and a feeling. Torelló's paintings are a visual feast for the senses, created by an artist whose life is rich and diverse. Lose yourself in the contemplation of Torelló's works and dive into a world full of colors, shapes, and stories that can be discovered in his works.