Do Not Touch (Green), 2020

Javier Calleja is a Spanish artist known for his humorous and surreal approach to figurative painting and sculptures. He creates detailed, highly-realistic artworks that feature human-like figures in fantastical, dream-like scenarios. His work is often characterized by its use of vibrant colors and a playful, light-hearted tone. The figures in his paintings are often depicted in humorous and absurd situations, with elongated limbs and exaggerated expressions. Calleja's use of color is striking and vibrant, often using bold, contrasting colors to create a sense of energy and movement in his pieces. His artworks are often seen as a commentary on the human condition and the absurdity of life. Calleja's portraits feature stylized figures with exaggerated heads and big melting eyes, reminiscent of manga or anime characters. The artist's ironic sense of humor is evident in the phrases scrawled on their t-shirts, like "FUCK YOU ALL," which undercut their innocence. Calleja's work also includes fibreglass sculptures that bring to mind the works of KAWS and Yoshitomo Nara. A solo exhibition in 2019, Clouds Through The Window, showcased multiple portraits with oversized wooden frames in a Baroque style, re-envisioning traditional portraiture. Emotion, not reason, is the driving force for Calleja, who wanted to create art that touches people without explanation. He considers his trademark characters to be small versions of himself, his "children." This emotional authenticity, paired with his sardonic humor, gives Calleja's work an understated yet powerful impact.