Elena Gual
1994, Mallorca.
Elena Gual has built a distinctive artistic career, shaped by rigorous academic training and a deeply personal exploration of contemporary art. Her studies in Italy provided her with a solid foundation in classical techniques, while her time at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art in London allowed her to break conventional boundaries and develop a unique visual language.
A pivotal moment in her practice occurred when an allergic reaction prevented her from using oil with a brush. This limitation led her to embrace the impasto technique, applying paint with a palette knife to create richly textured surfaces. Through this method, she discovered a new way of exploring depth, light, and movement, adding a sculptural quality to her paintings.
Her work moves between figuration and abstraction, exploring both portraiture and monochromatic, gestural compositions. Femininity is a central theme in her work, and her artistic journey and travels have given her a profound sensitivity toward the representation of women, their identities, and their experiences. Each of her portraits offers an introspective and sensory exploration, opening a window into the intangible and the spiritual. Her work celebrates diversity and personal liberation.
For MEGA 2025, we propose presenting these two artistic approaches that define Elena Gual’s practice. Faith is a figurative oil painting depicting a woman’s profile, emphasizing the expressive power of her textured technique. In contrast, Black Lava VI exemplifies her abstract and monochromatic style, created with acrylic on wood. Together, these pieces demonstrate her ability to navigate between figuration and abstraction while maintaining a cohesive and recognizable artistic voice.
Both works highlight Gual’s mastery of the palette knife as a tool for constructing depth and emotion, reaffirming her sensitivity to texture, light, and form.
Recent solo shows include: 2025, Sketch London; 2024, Institutional exhibition at Casa de Vacas, ARMA Gallery, Retiro Park, Madrid; “People of Mexico” at Contenssina art x ARMA Gallery, CDMX; Individual Exhibition “Metamorphosis” at ARMA Gallery – Madrid; 2023,
Exhibition at La Residencia Gallery Red – Deià, Spain; “Metamorphosis”, ARMA Gallery, Madrid; 2022, Exhibition at El Castillete with ARMA Gallery – Madrid; Individual Exhibition at Grove Square Gallery – London; “La Lonja live painting” La Lonja, Palma de Mallorca; “The Perfect Imperfect”, Voltz Clarke Gallery and Gallery Red, New York; 2021, “Aura”, Grove Square Gallery – London; 2020, “L´Éveil des sens”, La Galerie du 8. Curated by Wendy Lauwers. Paris; 2019“Personal Structures” Palazzo Mora, Venice, Italy.
Recent group shows and fairs include: 2025, Zona MACO Art Fair – ARMA Gallery, Mexico City; 2024, By Invitation Art Fair – ARMA Gallery, Barcelona; Estampa Art Fair – ARMA Gallery, Madrid; Marte Art Fair – ARMA Gallery, Castellón; Art Madrid Art Fair – ARMA Gallery, Madrid; 2023, Encuentro. ARMA Gallery, Madrid.