Iván Forcadell, multidisciplinary artist

Iván Forcadell entered the world of art by chance and has ended up finding in it a tool through which to live and express himself freely. His multidisciplinarity, audacity, and critical nature have managed to carve out a niche for him in an artistic scene that is currently not very favorable, specifically for artists of his age. He is under 30 years old and since last December 11th, his work has been part of the exhibition cycle Below Thirty carried out by Seventy Barcelona, where every 15 days a sample of art from young talents is presented. His work will be on display at The Attik space until next January 14th.

Explosion, colors, freedom, and experimentation in abundance. Who is Iván Forcadell?

A creative more from the village than the chickens, who started in the world of art by chance, and who has become addicted to his work.

Your interest in the artistic world was sparked by an illness that left you in a wheelchair at the age of 13. What do you remember from that personal and artistic process?

Art was a way to not die, and to look for alternatives to keep going.

You define yourself as an anti-school person, with a free spirit and self-taught, but what are your sources and references for inspiration?

Many and from various fields: the sculptor Louise Bourgeois, the painter Miquel Barceló, the artist Tracey Emin, and the plastic artist Joana Vasconcelos. In addition to them, some of my references are anonymous people from my hometown circles and my environment.

You are spoken of as a multidisciplinary artist: sculpture, painting, installation, video art, performance... How would you define your work in any of its disciplines?

True to my principles, with a conceptual foundation, often critical.

“I am an artist for two reasons: my illness and my politically incorrect attitude.” How is this declaration of principles reflected in your work?

For the audacity of the concept or the audacity of the technique itself.

Have you ever spent 19 hours locked in your studio, what is the creation process of your work like?

To start creating and enter into a loop that without realizing it leads to long periods of being absent from the world.

Chaos, textures, materials, dirt... what's all that in the expression you call 'Pop Brut'?

It's a phrase I used a long time ago (she remembers laughing). As time goes by, maturity comes and that's when you realize that I have little of 'pop' and quite a bit of 'brute' in me, in every sense of the word. I also have a strong character. In general, my way of creating and even my inspirations are 'raw'.

Regarding the work dedicated to your grandmother 'The Rural Woman', you have expressed that you like your works to address uncomfortable subjects. What other controversial topics would you like to explore?

People whom society labels as 'different', immigration, inequality...

How do you rate the artistic scene in the city of Barcelona? Is it a city that is generous with the endless artistic proposals?

The outlook is messed up... Therefore, I would like to congratulate Seventy Barcelona for the proposal, I think it can be very beneficial for the city :)

Projects like BelowThirty, organized at Seventy Barcelona, allow young artists to exhibit your works in a traveling manner. How do you value these kinds of initiatives?

Sincerely, very interesting.

Your work will be on display at Seventy Barcelona until January 14th. What can visitors see at this exhibition?

A glimpse of my ceramics and where I'm heading in creative terms.

What projects are you working on for 2020?

I prefer not to talk about what I'm plotting, leaving a bit of surprise is always good :)