The plastic artist Carme Bassa

Barcelona, 1953

Espai Cavallers Gallery

Carme Bassa is a professional painter since 1991 and with the aim of finding her own technique and language. Finding encaustic has allowed her to achieve this challenge.

Despite the risk of simplification, we could say that in Carme Bassa's production there are two basic types of works, two paths that it has travelled in parallel. Following this division, we find, on the one hand, figurative works and, on the other, abstract compositions. In the first category, we find representational exercises, looking outwards, while the second refers to gesture exercises, resulting from internal observation and spontaneous externalization.

In the first large block of works, the elements of domesticity, inner space, external things seen from within, often through a window or a balcony, are represented. As an intermediate stage, there are a number of works in which there is a component of harmonic order born of respect and admiration for objects and for the external forms that surround the artist. These are elements that make him company and that are loaded with meaning and associations. The closest objects serve as formal , iconographic referents, from which it can begin a search for possibilities of form, light, gesture and ultimately expressiveness.

From this daily immediacy Carme passes, in the second block of works, into his inner universe, into a whole symbology that suggests more personal and intimate subjects. These more abstract paintings, although using recognizable iconographic elements, are symbolic compositions that must be deciphered and that require us to be open to what is told. These are works that must be seen in haste and in which self-censorship and doubt are left uncovered, almost figuratively and with determination. Already within this more abstract mode, line, graphism, and abstract composition serve to express personal states. There is also a respectful study of color, chromatic conflict, dialogue that establishes the colors among themselves and the expressive possibilities of their symbolism.

In later creations, small-format compositions often landscaped, made with a resin technique that dries out very quickly, Carme Bassa dares to do a bit of what he did in the Chinese inks of 1994. It is the study of stroke as an instant synthesis of what is learned and assimilated, a quick and spontaneous translation of the baggage acquired by the artist, which however defies any possible intentionality. In a way, it is a question of not paying too much attention to rethinks, to last-minute doubts, or of falling into the temptation of introducing 'corrections' or subsequent modifications. In short, it is a question of forcing confidence in the spontaneous gesture.

About her studies:

• 1974-79 FINE ARTS DEGREE at ESCOLA MASSANA DE BARCELONA.
  (Obtenció del Títol en l’especialitat de PINTURA, i Títol de l’ESCOLA D’ARTS I OFICIS DE BARCELONA).
• 1979-80 Curs de CERÀMICA a l’ESCOLA MASSANA DE BARCELONA.
• 1980-82 Cursos de Composició i Investigació a l’ESCOLA EINA de Barcelona, amb els professors Ràfols Casamada i Patricio Vélez.
• 1987-88 Curs de Fotografia a l’INSTITUT D’ESTUDIS FOTOGRÀFICS DE CATALUNYA.
• 1991 Curs de Pintura a l’INSTITUTO D’ARTE DI FIRENZE LORENZO DE’ MEDICI, Itàlia.
• 1991-93 Cursos d’Història de la Pintura dirigits per Fèlix Fanés i Juan José Lahuerta. Institut d’Humanitats de Barcelona.

 

Sobre la trajectòria artística:

1978 Caixa d’Estalvis de Barcelona (“Pintures i Miralls”). Barcelona

1982 Escola EINA (“Pintures”). Barcelona
1982 Ateneu Martí Molins (“Pintures”). Barcelona

1983 Festa de AVANT (“Artistes Plàstics per la Pau”). Barcelona
1983 Clínica Quirón (“Pintures”). Barcelona
1983 Sala Parés. (“Concurs de Pintura Jove, XXV Premi de la Sala Parés”). Barcelona
1993 Galeria Carles Taché. “Gent d’EINA”. Barcelona

1994 Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc. Barcelona
1994 Pati Llimona. Barcelona
1994 Sala Villarroel. Barcelona
1994 Via Fóra!. Barcelona

1995 Aula de Lletres. Barcelona
1995 Frontó Colom. Barcelona
1995 Galeria Antoni Botey. Granollers (Barcelona)
1995 Casa del Portal del Pardo. El Vendrell (Tarragona)
1995 INTERART’95, València. Galerie Art-Sud, Toulouse, França

1996 Museu Monjo. Vilassar de Mar (Barcelona)
1996 Galerie Art-Sud. Toulouse, França.
1996 University of Chicago. Barcelona
1996 Galerie Suliak. Bonn, Alemanya.

1997 University of Chicago. Barcelona
1997 ARTEXPO 1997, Barcelona. Galeria Francesc Mestre
1997 HIPERMERC’ART. Sala Vinçon. Barcelona.

1998 Galeria AB Antoni Botey. Granollers (Barcelona).
1998 ARTEXPO 1998, Barcelona. Galeria Francesc Mestre
1998 Galeria MAZE “Fet amb el cervell”. Torino, Itàlia.
1998 IV Premi de Pintura Agrupació. Sala Maremàgnum. Barcelona.
1998 30 Eines. Centre d’Art Santa Mònica. Barcelona.
1998 I Certamen Nacional de Pintura: Galeria Aitor Urdangarin. Vitoria.
1998 Fira MAC 21. Marbella (Málaga)
1998 Reding Galeria d’Art. Málaga.
1998 Article 26. Barcelona
1998 Kunstraum die Wäscherei. Hamburg, Alemanya
1998-99-2000 Lumina Gallery. Taos, New Mexico, Estats Units
1998-99-2000 Bonfoey Company. Cleveland, Ohio, Estats Units

1999 Article 26. Barcelona
1999 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
1999-2000 Bennett Galleries, Nashville, Tennessee, Estats Units

2000 Hellenic American Union, Kennedy Gallery. Atenes, Grècia
2000 2a Bienal de Pintura Cola Cao (Guanyadora del 2n premi). Barcelona, Madrid, Mérida
2000 ARTEXPO 2000, Barcelona. Galeria TANT & TEMPS Serigraphie d’art, Orléans, França
2000 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2000 Reding Galeria d’Art. Málaga.
2000 De Graaf Gallery. Saugatuck, Michigan, Estats Units
2000 The Gallery. Overland Park, Kansas, Estats Units

2001 Joe + Emily Lowe Gallery, Syracuse, New York, Estats Units
2001 ONDA Gallery, Portland, Oregon, Estats Units
2001 Lumina Gallery. Taos, New Mexico, Estats Units
2001 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2001 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan,
2001 7è Premi de Pintura “Ricard Camí” de CAIXATERRASSA. Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
2001 L’iLLA D’ART, Barcelona. Galeria Safia
2001 ARTEXPO 2001, Barcelona. Sala Maragall

2002 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2002 L’iLLA D’ART, Barcelona. Galeria Safia

2003 Pequeña Inglaterra, Málaga
2003 feinWerk Visuelle Kommunikation, Hamburg, Alemanya
2003 De Graaf Fine Art. West Palm Beach, Florida, Estats Units
2003 Art&Graphica, Marbella
2003 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona

2004 Art&Graphica, Marbella

2005 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2005 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2005 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá

2006 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2006 Ajuntament de Pratdip (Baix Camp)
2006 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

2007 Fira DeARTE, Madrid (Galeria MAES)
2007 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2007 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2007 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2007 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2007 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife

2008 (Galeria Maes) Madrid
2008 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2008 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2008 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2008 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2008 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2008 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona.
2008 Cooperativa Capçanes.Tarragona.

2009 (Galeria Maes) Madrid
2009 Maragall, Sala d’Art. Barcelona
2009 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2009 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2009 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2009 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2009 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona.
2009 Firart. Vilafranca del Penedes.Tarragona
2009 Les Quintanes. Llorenç del Penedes. Tarragona

2010 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2010 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2010 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2010 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2010 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona.
2010 Les Quintanes. Llorenç del Penedes. Tarragona
2010 Nord Art 2010 KiC (kunst in der carshütte). Hamburg. Alemania.

2011 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2011 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2011 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2011 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2011 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona.
2011 Les Quintanes. Llorenç del Penedes. Tarragona

2012 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2012 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2012 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2012 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2012 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona
2012 Firart Nadal, Vilafranca
2012 Escola Turística del Vendrell Pau Casals

2013 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2013 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2013 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2013 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2013 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona
2013 Firart Nadal, Vilafranca

2014 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2014 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2014 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2014 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2014 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona

2015 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2015 City Club, Panamá City, Panamá
2015 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2015 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2015 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona

2016 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2016 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2016 Krom Gallery (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
2016 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona

2017 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2017 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2017 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona

2018 De Graaf Fine Art. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Estats Units
2018 Triad Gallery. Seal Rock, Michigan
2018 Art a Pratdip. Tarragona
2018 Montbrió Art. Tarragona
2018 Ajuntament de Cambrils “COM SI FOS AHIR”

More information about the plastic artist Carme Bassa at Espai Cavallers Gallery