Mai Blanco: Jardín Adentro

Fundación La Nave Salinas, a non-profit foundation in Ibiza, Spain, is pleased to present Jardín Adentro (A Garden Within), a solo exhibition of works by Spanish artist Mai Blanco this summer. Born in Asturias, a picturesque province in the north of Spain, Blanco has harbored an unwavering conviction of being an artist for as long as her memory serves.

Blanco’s oeuvre comprises self-portraits that delve into the quest for meaning, often threading through the labyrinth of nature. In the natural world, she discovers an inexhaustible wellspring of primordial beauty, forging a profound connection with the transcendental. This bond gives rise to an exultant celebration of life, embracing simplicity and authenticity. For Blanco, the mere act of being and existing in this world is inherently transcendent.

With a penchant for portraying nude figures amidst nature, Blanco captures the quintessence of humanity in its archetypal form. Mindful to eschew elements that might confine her characters to a specific time or place, she endeavors to uphold universality and timelessness in her practice. 

Her figures draw subconscious inspiration from a pantheon of revered artists, spanning from classical luminaries like Bonet, Botticelli, and Rubens to contemporary masters such as Pierre Bonnard, Jean Dubuffet, George Baselitz, Alice Neel, Pablo Picasso, and Cecily Brown.

Blanco’s linework emanates with remarkable fluidity, effortlessly evoking the sensuality of the female form while also hinting at the strength and prowess of mythological female warriors known as Amazonas. Her color palette, soft yet vibrant, serves as a subtle reminder that amidst strength and independence, her characters retain the inherent grace of femininity.

Fundación La Nave Salinas is a non-profit foundation in Ibiza, Spain, founded in 2015 by Lio Malca. Housed in a former salt warehouse in the salt pans of Ibiza, the foundation was created as a space that makes contemporary art accessible to the public. Malca’s connection to Ibiza spans more than 20 years, and this project is a way for the collector to give back to the island’s community. 

With an exhibition space of over 7,500 square feet, the foundation is devoted to showcasing exciting curatorial projects and monumental installations of contemporary art on a yearly basis. The ambitious programming is paired with extensive educational initiatives, including guided tours and teaching workshops for local schools. These activities aim to bring contemporary art closer to people of all ages. Perhaps most important to the foundation’s mission is that admission to La Nave Salinas and all programs is free of charge. 

To date, La Nave Salinas has presented solo exhibitions by artists Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Marco Brambilla, Bill Viola, KAWS, Rafa Macarrón, Eva Beresin and Jonny Niesche. The dynamic, reimagined 1940s salt warehouse along Las Salinas beach is an ideal space to present Mai’s largest body of work to date. The exhibition will remain open to the public from June 28, 2024 through October 31, 2024. Admission is free of charge. Schedule a complimentary guided tour by contacting visit [​at​] lanavesalinas.org.