Spotlight on Plensa and Pallares
Introduction: Unveiling La Saletta's Artistic Legacy
La Saletta, a significant gallery in Barcelona—historically known as Galería Ignacio de Lassaletta—has carved a niche as a space for both established and emerging contemporary art. Beyond exhibiting widely recognized names, it has played a pivotal role in showcasing artists like Jordi Pallares, and although Jaume Plensa has exhibited more prominently at galleries like Galeria Senda and institutions such as MACBA, the broader ecosystem of Barcelona galleries—including La Saletta—provides context for his local prominence.
Part I: La Saletta / Galería Ignacio de Lassaletta — A Hub for Contemporary Expression
La Saletta, also referred to as Galería Ignacio de Lassaletta, is located on Rambla Catalunya in Barcelona. It hosted exhibitions by a diverse array of artists, from established names to those pushing contemporary boundaries. One notable exhibition was Herències de Jordi Pallares (“Heritages of Jordi Pallares”) presented there in February 2012 bonart.cat.
The gallery’s atmosphere—rooted in artistic dialogue and reflection—made it a fitting venue for Pallares’ expressive, symbol-rich series.
Part II: Jordi Pallares — Expressionist Vision in Barcelona
Early Life & Artistic Background
Born in 1962, Jordi Pallarés (sometimes spelled Pallares) pursued studies in Architecture, Art, and Philosophy in Barcelona, coming from a family of artists BAZZAARK Showroom.
Signature Style & Themes
Pallares’ work is heavily expressionist, filled with psychological intensity and symbolic motifs. His thematic series include:
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"Princeses" (Princesses): Depicted with blacked-out, powerful faces in contrast with white garments—haunting and evocative, these figures represent mortality and existential reflection.
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"Ganxos" (Hooks): Originally hearts in shape, morphed into aggressive forms—symbolizing emotional transformation bonart.cat.
Market & Legacy
At auctions, Pallares’ works, such as Astas (1991) and Composición, have fetched prices between approximately €500–€1,400, confirming a modest but notable presence among collectors invaluable.com+1.
Part III: Jaume Plensa — Barcelona’s Globally Acclaimed Sculptor
While Plensa has not been associated directly with La Saletta, his influence in Barcelona’s contemporary scene is undeniable.
Artistic Vision & Mediums
Born in 1955 in Barcelona and trained at Escola de la Llotja and Escola Superior de Belles Arts, Jaume Plensa has become one of the most internationally respected sculptors today macba.cat. Known for monumental yet ethereal sculptures that fuse the human figure, letters, light, and sound, Plensa explores themes of silence, identity, and shared humanity richardgraygallery.commacba.cat.
Key Exhibitions in Barcelona
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MACBA Exhibition (2018–2019): A major retrospective that presented his evolution from anthropomorphic metal forms to transparent, literary-based sculptures, emphasizing dualities like weightlessness vs. compactness, silence vs. sound macba.cat.
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"Poetry of Silence" at La Pedrera (2023): A thoughtful exhibition integrating Plensa’s work with Gaudí’s architecture, spread across courtyards, rooftop, and main galleries, centered on his use of language and material to evoke poetic introspection lapedrera.com+1bonart.cat.
International Recognition
In 2025, Plensa received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center for his profound contributions to public sculpture and collective memory through his meditative works ocula.com.
Part IV: La Saletta, Plensa & Pallares — Distinct Voices in Barcelona's Art Scene
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La Saletta played a vital role showcasing emotionally resonant, figurative painting—embodied by Jordi Pallares, whose expressionist works engaged visitors through powerful symbolism.
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Concurrently, Jaume Plensa’s larger-scale, contemplative sculptural installations reflect Barcelona’s broader evolution into a destination of rigorous international art, bridging public spaces and architectural intimacy.
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Together, they illustrate how Barcelona’s gallery ecosystem spans quiet interior reflection to monumental public engagement.
Conclusion: Positioning La Saletta Amid Barcelona’s Artistic Panorama
La Saletta (Galería Ignacio de Lassaletta) maintained its relevance through exhibitions like Herències de Jordi Pallarès, championing personal and emotive artistic narratives. While Plensa’s major showcases happened elsewhere, his work and prestige enrich the context around Barcelona’s art landscape—embodying a powerful contrast between interior exploration (Pallares, intimate galleries) and exterior, transformative monuments (Plensa, iconic public art).
