‘Once’ by Javier Calleja, 2023
21 x 22 Inches
Hybrid UV flatbed pigment print with red silkscreen details, varnishes, and embossment on Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White 410gsm fine art paper, with cut edges.
Limited Edition of 970
Hand- numbered and authenticated with a bespoke embossed artist stamp, unique to the edition. Comes with original artist stamped gallery Certificate of Authenticity from Avant Arte.

ABOUT THE ART/ARTIST BIO
Calleja’s endearing figures are led by emotion. The two sketches selected by the artist encompass his distinctive character stylings and use of irreverent slogans. A single phrase spans both works, revealed in full when they are seen together. Together, they nod to the significance of a project that has commanded two years of the artist's attention.

The editions translate original soft ground etchings into intricate hybrid prints. Areas of vibrant colour are enhanced by layers of varnish and red ink applied on a silkscreen. Finally, each print is authenticated with a bespoke artist stamp – unique to the edition.

Javier Calleja rose to art world prominence thanks to his instantly recognizable figurative works, which often feature squat, wide-eyed characters with exaggerated proportions. The Spanish artist’s practice spans painting, sculpture, and works on paper, as well as an array of editioned work and merchandise. Calleja has shown at galleries in Madrid, Barcelona, New York, Paris, and Hong Kong, among other major cities. A number of public collections throughout Spain have acquired his work. In March 2021, Calleja’s secondary-market record broke US$1 million for the first time, when his 2019 painting Waiting for a While sold for HK$8.8 million (US$1.1 million). Though he draws on personal experience and childhood memories to create his iconic characters, Calleja prefers not to explain his work, instead letting the observer “finish” the work with their own interpretations.

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