Friday October 25, we invite everyone to join the opening of Marta Leyv's first exhibition with Hans Alf Gallery. Aptly named "Mediterranean Delicacy", the show runs in the HAG project room alongside Ralf Kokke's main gallery exhibition "Forest Friends".
Originally from Barcelona, Marta Leyva divides her time between her hometown and Stockholm, drawing inspiration from her Spanish roots in her paintings. Leyva's work is characterized by vivid colors and dynamic compositions, often featuring scenes of lavish dinner parties, intimate private spheres, and vibrant social gatherings. Her use of colors such as salmon, green, and beige creates a sense of energy, positivity, and connection to her heritage. The scenarios she creates often revolve around food, serving as an essential element in her paintings and highlighting the artist's profound passion for gastronomy.
More than just a visual treat, Leyva's work is a narrative that invites viewers into the opulent and intricate worlds she creates on canvas, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestries and emotional landscapes she so vividly portrays. Leyva conjures lush, intricate worlds, where every brushstroke becomes an expression of universal emotions and human presence. Transcending gender and nationality, the figures in her works embody a fluid, universal identity that leads the viewer to connect their own memories to the scenes. With playful touches of humor and hedonism, Leyva's work evokes the joyous essence of Dionysus, celebrating life's big and small pleasures and creating a feast for the senses.
Romantic aspects pulse through Leyva’s paintings, framing scenes situated between the absurd and the mundane. Her work is steeped in references to Spanish art history and tradition, unfolding within a surreal yet familiar world. Gazing into her paintings feels like drifting into a dream. Boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, inviting the viewer to explore a world filled with recognizable yet intriguingly shifted elements.
Marta Leyva (b. 1985) was born in Barcelona but has lived and worked in France and Sweden. She is a self-taught artist and has exhibited in cities such as Stockholm, Barcelona, Madrid among others. "Mediterranean Delicacy" will be her first solo exhibition with Hans Alf Gallery.
”Mediterranean Delicacy" opens October 25 and will be on view through November 16 in the HAG project room.
