'Return with sacks of red earth and waste', by Lionel Sabatté

Lionel Sabatté makes his first appearance in Catalonia with the exhibition 'Return with sacks of red earth and desechos' at the RocioSantaCruz Gallery , coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Gallery Weekend, held at the end of September. Known for his use of ephemeral materials such as dust and scrap, Sabatté transforms these common elements into works of art that explore the passage of time and memory. This exhibition combines sculptures, paintings, drawings and photographs inspired by the landscapes of southern Catalonia and the Terres de l'Ebre, establishing a link between nature, history and contemporary art.

Educated at the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, Sabatté resides on the outskirts of the French capital, but his career has been characterized by a nomadic approach. He has participated in multiple residencies and traveled to various destinations, collecting simple materials such as dust, soil, dead skin or nails to integrate them into his creations. These seemingly insignificant materials become fundamental to his work, highlighting the transformation and memory they carry with them.

The exhibition, which can be visited until November 9, presents works conceived especially for this occasion, inspired by the lands of the Ebro and the ancient cave paintings. Sabatté's sculptures depict prehistoric animals such as mammoths, bison and wild boars, using recycled materials such as oxidized scrap metal. This technique provides a rough and primitive look that links to the remote past of its subjects.

'Oiseau del Ebro', Lionel Sabatté (2024)

His paintings, created with pigments from the famous Lascaux caves, evoke strength and connection with nature. The earthy colors and energetic strokes convey a sense of intensity, almost as if they had emerged from the earth itself. His skill in drawing is also evident in the representations of animals, where the combination of technique and oxidation brings depth and realism, as if the figures have been shaped by the passage of time itself.

Another relevant aspect of the exhibition are his "poussiérographies", photographs that capture the pulse as a symbol of the passage of time. These images highlight the delicacy and enigma of ephemeral materials, transforming them into works that make us reflect on the fragility and beauty of matter. Sabatté turns what is often perceived as insignificant into art with deep meaning.

The set of works on display is an exploration of the relationship between time, matter and the natural world. Drawing inspiration from figures such as Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray, Sabatté revisits the idea of giving value to ephemeral materials. With this exhibition, the artist invites us to reconsider the permanence and beauty of everything that surrounds us, showing how even the humblest elements can become meaningful art.

'Champ d'oiseau du 01-06-2022' i 'Delta le 10-07-2024', Lionel Sabatté