14 Valencia Contemporary Art Galleries I visited

2024

From 26 September to 4 October 2024, the 12th edition of Valencia Gallery Week brought together 14 art galleries, simultaneously opening their exhibitions to the public. I visited 14 participating art galleries, capturing them at their best. Below is an alphabetical list of the galleries I explored, with updates and new additions to follow.

9 October 2024

Alba Cabrera Contemporary Art Gallery

Long-standing gallery championing mid-career Artists

Gallery Alba Cabrera

Founded in 1986, Alba Cabrera Gallery is one of Valencia’s long-standing art galleries, known for its traditional values and dedication to artistic craftsmanship. The gallery is now located in a larger space, thoughtfully divided into two levels with three distinct sections:

  • a space for solo exhibitions,
  • a space for group shows,
  • and a back office that includes a framing workshop.

The gallery represents mid-career artists with solid career paths, known for their superior techniques, refined aesthetics, or socially conscious discourse.

For Valencia Gallery Week 2024, Alba Cabrera Gallery presents Sinestesia by Paco Díaz, alongside the kinetic sculptures of Xavier Cuiñas in Horizontes Accesibles.

Alba Cabrera - artist Paco Díaz
Alba Cabrera - artist Xavier Cuiñas

Gallery Ana Serratosa

An art gallery in a home setting

Valencia Art Galleries - Ana Serratosa - artist Javier Riera

Ana Serratosa Contemporary Art Gallery is uniquely located in the attic of a residential building, minutes from Valencia’s City Hall. Since opening in 2000, the gallery has extended its influence into public spaces across the city. A key initiative is placing artworks in shared residential spaces, humanizing these environments and fostering dialogue between artists and residents. This semi-public approach aligns perfectly with their ‘home gallery’ concept.

During Valencia Gallery Week, Ana Serratosa presented a solo exhibition by artist Javier Riera, titled “Resonances of Reflection and Shadow”.

Valencia Art Galleries - Ana Serratosa - artist Javier Riera
Valencia Art Galleries - Ana Serratosa - artist Javier Riera

Gallery Benlliure

Between modern and contemporary masters

Valencia Art Galleries - Benlliure Gallery

Gallery Benlliure was established in 1984 by Vicente Segrelles, the nephew of the renowned Spanish painter José Segrelles. After Vicente passed away in 2020, his family has continued to uphold his legacy. The gallery is known for showcasing iconic works by prominent artists such as Miquel Barceló, Fernando Botero, and Juan Genovés.
This year, the gallery celebrated its 40th anniversary with a significant exhibition, 40 years. While I couldn’t visit it this time, I did have the opportunity to explore the gallery during Valencia Gallery Week 2022, where they featured Man-nature spaces, an exhibition by artist Cristina Alabau.

This year, the gallery marked its 40th anniversary. The showcase featured 14 prominent and representative artists, including Juan Genovés, Jaume Plensa, and Manolo Valdés.

Valencia Art Galleries - Benlliure Gallery - Jaume Plensa Cristina Alabau
Valencia Art Galleries - Benlliure Gallery - Cristina Alabau

Cuatro Gallery

The oldest gallery with new voices

Valencia Art Galleries - Galeria Cuatro - artist Lonjedo

Gallery Cuatro, founded in 1980, is Valencia’s oldest art gallery and has built its reputation on showcasing emerging artists. Unlike many galleries from the same era, Cuatro focuses on living contemporary artists and offers affordable art to collectors. The space features two rooms connected by a corridor, with a framing workshop located at the back. The gallery has been recognized by art enthusiasts, winning Alhambra’s People’s Award in both 2022 and 2023.

Currently, they are presenting Diary of a Flâneur by artist Luis Lonjedo. The term flâneur, borrowed from French, describes someone who wanders the streets without a specific purpose. Lonjedo’s paintings are accompanied by texts from Guillermo Stuyck, which are integrated directly into the artworks themselves.

Valencia Art Galleries - Galeria Cuatro - artist Lonjedo
Valencia Art Galleries - Galeria Cuatro - artist Lonjedo

Gabinete de Dibujos

Expanding the boundaries of drawing

Valencia Art Galleries - Gabinete de dibujos

Gabinete de Dibujos began as a concept to display drawing experiments in a shop window, eventually evolving into a full gallery space in 2020. Located in a former bus station in the Ruzafa neighborhood, the gallery is dedicated to contemporary drawing, though its exhibits go beyond works on paper and encompass a variety of styles. Adjacent to the gallery is a framing studio under a different brand.

Although I couldn’t visit this year, I thoroughly enjoyed last year’s exhibition at Gabinete de Dibujos, which featured Tania Blanco’s solo show, Seizures—36 Midsummer Night’s Dreams.

For the art week, Gabinete de Dibujos is presenting Correspondences, a solo exhibition by Ignacio Uriarte. Before transitioning to the art world, Ignacio worked in business administration, a background that influences his creative process. Using everyday office supplies, he produces meticulous and repetitive works, echoing the routine of office life.

 

 

Valencia Art Galleries - Gabinete de dibujos - Tania Blanco
Valencia Art Galleries - Gabinete de dibujos - Tania Blanco

Gallery Jorge López

Art rooted in belonging

Gallery Jorge Lopez - artist Gema Polanco

Gallery Jorge López was founded in 2022, rooted in the personal journey of its founder, the former art director at Galería Punto. Since its establishment, the gallery has forged strong connections not only within the local art scene but also with Argentina and Uruguay. The gallery’s focus often gravitates toward artists exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the search for a sense of home. It represents 20 artists, primarily in their 30s and 40s, alongside a few more seasoned in their careers.

Currently on display is The Alter Ego Took My Hand and Brought Me Here by Valencian artist Gema Polanco, born in 1992.

Gallery Jorge Lopez - artist Gema Polanco
Gallery Jorge Lopez - artist Gema Polanco

Gallery Luis Adelantado

Expansive art spaces, global reach

Valencia Art Galleries - Gallery Luis Adelantado - artist Manu Blázquez

The gallery was founded in 1985 by Luis Adelantado in Valencia, and expanded internationally in 2009 with a new space in Mexico City. In 2012, his daughter Olga Adelantado took over as director. The gallery occupies an impressive five-story building, arguably one of the highest-quality exhibition spaces among Valencia’s galleries. In addition to showcasing over 20 artists in their space, they are active participants in major art fairs such as ARCO Madrid, Art Brussels, Artissima, Loop Barcelona, and Offscreen Paris.

Valencia Art Galleries - Gallery Luis Adelantado
Valencia Art Galleries - Gallery Luis Adelantado - artist Manu Blázquez

Gallery La Mercería

Where urban meets conceptual

Valencia Art Galleries - La Merceria - artist Roice 183

La Mercería was founded in 2018 by Ignacio Bofarull and is located in the heart of Valencia’s old town. The name, which evokes its past as a haberdashery, was kept to breathe new life into the space. The gallery represents over 10 emerging artists, with a focus on two distinct areas: urban art and conceptual art.
They are currently hosting a solo exhibition by artist Roice 183, whose work, like the gallery, spans two styles – street art and more traditional painting. The exhibition is titled Maybe Tomorrow.

Valencia Art Galleries - La Merceria - artist Roice 183
Valencia Art Galleries - La Merceria - entrance

Gallery Rosa Santos

Elevating female talents in contemporary art

Valencia Art Galleries - Rosa Santos - female ceramic artists

Rosa Santos Gallery, founded in 2003 in Valencia and expanded to Madrid in 2021, is renowned for representing female artists, particularly those working with ceramics. The gallery focuses on artists with both strong technical skills and a well-defined artistic discourse. It regularly participates in prestigious art fairs such as ARCO Madrid, ARCO Lisboa, Artissima, Art Brussels, and Estampa.
Currently, the gallery is presenting the work of seven female ceramic artists: Nagore Chivite, Marina González Guerreiro, Emilia Guimeráns, Sandra Mar, Chelo Matesanz, Nerea Puente, and Patricia Varea Milán.

Valencia Art Galleries - Rosa Santos - female ceramic artists
Valencia Art Galleries - Rosa Santos - female ceramic artists

Set Espai d’Art

A hidden gem in the heart of the city

Valencia Art Galleries - Set Espai - Ana Esteve Llorens

Set Espai d’Art (which can be translated as Seven Art Space) is a friendly and discreet gallery tucked away in Plaza Miracle del Mocadoret, just across from the former residence of Cuban poet and philosopher José Martí, and a few meters from Plaza de la Reina. Since its opening in 2012, the gallery has been dedicated to promoting its 20 emerging and mid-career artists on both national and international platforms. It regularly participates in art fairs such as ARCO Madrid, Estampa, Nada New York, and Swab.

Currently, they are showing a textile-based art exhibition Touch a place by artist Ana Esteve Llorens, born in 1975 in Valencia. The works shown are the result of a research stay at the School of Crafts of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature in Mexico City.

Valencia Art Galleries - Set Espai - Ana Esteve Llorens

Gallery Shiras

Two levels of artistic discovery

Valencia Art Galleries - Shiras

Shiras Gallery, established in 2015 in Valencia’s historic center, is situated just minutes from Galería La Mercería. The gallery features two exhibition spaces across two levels: a ground floor dedicated to larger works and a more intimate, wine-cellar-like space in the basement called El Refugio. Shiras represents over 20 artists at varying stages of their careers, ranging from emerging talents to internationally acclaimed names.

They are showing two female artists for Abierta Valencia. Carolina Ferrer brought hand intervened photographic works, titled Painting without a Home. Inhabiting the Paradox. In the underground space, there is a small solo show of Cupid’s mercy (Piedad Cupido) by Marina Puche.

Valencia Art Galleries - Shiras - artists Marina Puch - Carolina Ferrer
Valencia Art Galleries - Shiras - artists Marina Puch - Carolina Ferrer

Gallery Thema

Bridging icons and emerging artists

Valencia Art Galleries - Galeria Thema - group exhibition

Founded in 1986, Gallery Thema is situated near the Turia Gardens, just steps away from Benlliure. With a diverse range of artists represented, their catalog features nearly 50 names, spanning from iconic figures like Miró, Picasso, and Antonio Saura to emerging talents in the contemporary art scene. In addition to exhibitions, they also offer professional framing services.

For Abierta Valencia 2024, they presented “Tendencias Brillantes”, a group exhibition showcasing the work of four female artists, each employing different media.

Valencia Art Galleries - Galeria Thema - group exhibition
Valencia Art Galleries - Galeria Thema - group exhibition

Tuesday to Friday

A dynamic platform for new perspectives

Valencia Art Galleries - Tuesday to Friday - artist Nico Munuera

As the name suggests, Tuesday to Friday Gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday. Initially opened in 2020 in Ruzafa, the gallery relocated in 2022 to its current space, nestled between Rosa Santos and Jorge López galleries. It represents emerging artists whose work blends aesthetic and conceptual elements, aligning with contemporary trends in visual expression.

For the gallery week 2024, they presented Entertaining the Water (Entretener el Agua), a solo exhibition by Nico Munuera.

Valencia Art Galleries - Tuesday to Friday - artist Nico Munuera
Valencia Art Galleries - Tuesday to Friday - artist Nico Munuera

Galería Vangar

Vanguard of Valencia’s Art Scene

Vangar gallery

Founded in 2017, Vangar Gallery is a dynamic addition to Valencia’s vibrant art scene. With a fresh approach that blends color, minimalism, and conceptualism, they bring a distinctive aesthetic to the market. Out of the 12 artists they represent, 10 were born after 1990, making their roster one of the youngest in Valencia, with an average artist age of 30. Vangar Gallery has quickly made its mark, earning numerous accolades at the art fairs they’ve participated in.

They are currently featuring a solo exhibition by Lara Ordóñez.

Valencia Art Galleries - Vangar - artist Lara Ordóñez
Valencia Art Galleries - Vangar - artist Lara Ordóñez
Mo Li

Mo Li

Very Private Gallery's co-founder is a theater school graduate with a major in Film and TV Production, deeply connected to emerging artists in Beijing's art scene. Inspired by her experiences, she pursued further studies in curatorship and creative writing at the University of Sydney. Her career expanded into photography, filmmaking, and communication consulting. After earning an IMBA, she is now completing her PhD, focusing on censorship in art.

Updates:
– Adding two galleries, and new photos (2024 Oct. 15th)

 

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