"Growing up in the 70s and 80s, my biggest influences were cartoons and comics. In particular Mazinger Z cartoons and Francisco Ibáñez Talavera’s comics. Inspired by those two, I started drawing as a child, so my work developed from there and still carries some of those characteristics." — Javier Calleja
Provenance
Nanzuka Gallery, Tokyo Whitestone Gallery, Hong Kong Private Collection, Asia Ravenel, Taipei, 1 December 2019, lot 3 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner
Javier Calleja (b. 1971) is a contemporary Spanish artist living and working in
Malaga, Spain. Calleja is most known for his figurative style of cartoonish, doe-eyed
characters with exaggerated features. His style is influenced by the toys and comics
from his 70s and 80s upbringing. Calleja’s characters are often accompanied by text
that contrasts the innocent and adolescent looking facial expressions of the
characters represented in the compositions. Calleja works in painting, sculpture,
and works on paper.
Calleja holds a BFA from Granada University in Spain. His works have been exhibited worldwide and he is currently represented by Almine Rech.
