Elena Garrigolas at Saatchi Yates

Saatchi Yates introduces Elena Garrigolas, a Spanish artist, in her debut solo exhibition featuring 17 new works that blend dreamscapes, internet culture, and personal experiences into captivating and surreal self-portraits.

We found inspiring Elena Garrigolas’s fearless exploration of traumatic experiences and personal vulnerabilities, shaped by her upbringing in a religious environment. Drawing inspiration from feminist artists like Frida Khalo and Miriam Cahn, Garrigolas employs self-portraiture and absurd scenes to delve into themes of motherhood, aging, and beauty.

Her surrealist subjects, reminiscent of Francisco Goya's intensity, convey a personal narrative rooted in confronting pain and trauma. By infusing humor as a defense mechanism, Garrigolas navigates these dark themes with resilience and creativity, offering viewers a unique perspective on her journey.

Influenced by historical references and contemporary internet culture, Garrigolas parallels the strange and ambiguous nature of memes in her work. Aligning with the constant online presence of her generation, she transforms the absurdity found in medieval manuscripts' marginalia into modern visual diaries, creating a compelling bridge between art and internet humor.

What we love about Elena Garrigolas is her ability to seamlessly weave personal narratives, historical influences, and internet culture into visually striking artworks. Her exploration of pain, trauma, and vulnerability is both fearless and inspiring, offering viewers a fresh and captivating perspective on the complexities of the human experience.

Forever, and ever, and ever, 2023 middle Oil on canvas, 150 x 180 cm

Good fishing day, 2023 center Oil on panel, 147 x 179 cm

Portrait of a man playing the cello, 2023 center Oil on canvas, 180 x 150 cm

The mortifying ordeal of being known, to the left 2023 Oil on canvas, 150 x 150 x 3.5 cm

My Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Farm, to the right 2023 Oil on canvas, 150 x 200 cm

Wet Dreams, 2023 to the right Oil on canvas, 200 x 150 cm

14 Bury Street
St. James's
London
SW1Y 6AL

Opening hours

Mon-Sat 10-6pm Sun 12-6pm

On view:

1st November - 17th December

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