Elisenda Vila

Elisenda VilaElisenda VilaElisenda Vila

Elisenda Vila

Elisenda VilaElisenda VilaElisenda Vila
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    • Home
    • About me
    • Portfolio
      • Underwater world
      • Birds and Flowers
      • Looking East
      • London Olympics
      • Nudes
    • Shop
      • Artist Atelier
      • Decor and Lifestyle
      • Saatchi Art
      • eBay
    • Contact
  • Home
  • About me
  • Portfolio
    • Underwater world
    • Birds and Flowers
    • Looking East
    • London Olympics
    • Nudes
  • Shop
    • Artist Atelier
    • Decor and Lifestyle
    • Saatchi Art
    • eBay
  • Contact

About me

Artwork to fill your life with colour and joy

A home or an office with white walls is a bit dull, doesn’t say much about who we are or what our business is about. A white wall, similar to a white canvas doesn’t speak to us. We need to fill it, decorate it, with something that resonates with ourselves. We all deserve a life and work environment that talks about us and make us feel comfortable.


Art is an excellent way to add your personal touch to your home or your office, make it an enjoyable place, unique and personal. All my paintings and works are original ideas based on my personal experience, ideas and feelings, never copied from online photos. But I want you to make these works yours, find a new meaning for them, a meaning that talks about who you are, your experiences, ideas and feelings. Artists create art, but it is the person who enjoys it who gives a real purpose to all forms of art, being it a song, a painting, a sculpture... 


Browse through my portfolio and see if there is any painting that resonates with you and your vital experience, feelings, desires, goals, ideas, ideology. Is there a painting that speaks to you? Then make it yours, give a new meaning to that painting, your meaning, embodying it with a personal significance. Maybe you get inspired but can´t quite find what you have in mind? Don´t worry, just get in touch as I also make bespoke art commissions that can suit your needs.

Clownfish painting in a bedroom.

Clownfish painting in a bedroom.

Portfolio

Underwater world

Underwater world

Underwater world

Birds

Underwater world

Underwater world

Flowers

Underwater world

Looking East

Looking East

London Olympics

Looking East

London Olympics

London Olympics

London Olympics

Nudes

London Olympics

London Olympics

More about me

Style

The main characteristic of my paintings is a rich and exotic use of the colour. I combine textures and expressive gesture with the versatility of representative oil painting techniques. My style is somehow figurative, strongly influenced by conceptual theories and surrealist artists from my years at the University, although my fellow peers from class, now some of them artists, have inspired me greatly. 


In my paintings I explore ordinary people, animals and situations inspired by my daily experiences to present them in a new way, as something extraordinary. I appreciate every precious moment that life gives me and I just want to capture it them with my art forever to make it enjoyable for other people.

Working at the studio

Working at the studio

Biography

I grew up in a little village surrounded by natural landscapes where I started to be curious about the nature and the beauty surrounding me. Since I was a little kid, I enjoyed making art and crafting different objects. I attended an after-school arts club and I got fascinated by my teacher, so I decided I wanted to be like her and teach arts and crafts. I was maybe 8 by then. At the same time, as I come from a Catholic background, I used to attend a summer club run by our local priest. Once the priest told us that if god had given us a special talent it was our duty to develop this talent and not let it be wasted. These word really moved me, I believed I had a talent for art and crafts, and then, it would be very ungrateful to ignore it, so it was my duty to nurture this talent. So, I decided I was going to be an artist. A kid’s dream, and as such, doomed to encounter some obstacles on its way.


When I was 17 I took part in my first collective exhibition in Barcelona. At 19 I moved to Barcelona where I became a Fine Arts Graduate for the University of Barcelona. But that wasn’t that easy. I was very talented for Science and Math, getting an Honours Degree in Science in College and without any artist in my family expected me to study science. I got the disapproval of family, friends and teachers in pursuing a career in the arts field, as it was seen as a lesser path.  Due to the family pressure to change my career path, and my opposition to do so, at 19 I moved from my family home to Barcelona. At 22 I became a Fine Arts Graduate for the University of Barcelona. 


That’s why after Graduating in Fine Arts I got a Master in Archaeology and a Postgraduate Degree in Teaching. I spent around 5 years working as an Archaeologist, as an Assistant Curator and as a Teacher. I really loved all these jobs, and I learnt a lot from them. But when I started teaching Art in a College, trying to encourage future artists, I realized I had abandoned my own dreams in the way. So, I started painting and creating again, as I wanted to be an example for my students.


Then the crisis in Spain came, with a 50% of unemployment in my age range and an uncertain future I decided to move abroad. In 2011, I went to London for what was meant to be a short period of time that eventually became 5 years. There I could be myself without the influence of my family and consequently I was able to develop my artistic career, finding myself and my personal style. I was immersed in a vibrant atmosphere of culture, meeting artists and musicians who inspired me at every step of my journey. In addition, I was able to dedicate some spare time to my other big passion, performing in theatre plays, thing that I have been doing since the age of 5, and I managed to keep doing it in the UK as well. I also worked part time as a Primary Arts Specialist Teacher in the demanding London Schools. All my hard work paid off and I soon started exhibiting in galleries and art fairs around the UK, especially in London. I was even finalist at the ArtGemini Prize 2013 and at the 1st Visual Arts Awards at the Embassy of Brazil 2015.


I was settling down nicely in London, and when I thought I was never coming back to my country, at least not until retirement, my mother got diagnosed with a recurrent colorectal cancer with a bad prognosis and a long journey ahead of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Being an only child with demanding parents I decided to came back to Barcelona to spent the time that she had left with her. In autumn of 2016 I came back and started teaching again in Colleges whilst spending time with my parents and painting whenever I could and had the energy to do so. Unfortunately, after a hard journey involving  metastasis, surgeries, dozens of chemotherapy sessions and some more of radiotherapy, she passed away in summer 2018. In the last year of her life I had to leave my art a bit aside, but I could spend my time accompanying her. In her last years my mother was really proud of my art career, contrary to what she thought about it 20 years ago, and encouraged me to pursue it further. My paintings surrounded her in the room where she spent her last days, she used to tell me that looking at them made her feel joy and comfort regardless of her situation. 


I really wish my art can move people in the same way that it moved her during her last years. I hope my art can bring happiness, joy and colour to people’s life.

Art exhibition in Berga, 2011

Art exhibition in Berga, 2011

Mailing list

Curriculum Vitae

Exhibitions

2022

  • "Món aquàtic", Solo Exhibiton. Biblioteca Xavier Benguerel, Barcelona. May

2019

  • "Biodiversitat en 4 elements", Solo Exhibition. Masia Molí de Can Batlle, Vallirana. Barcelona. November
  • "Parallax Art Fair", Chelsea Town Hall, London. February 

2018 

  • "Parallax Art Fair", Kensington Town Hall, London. July 

2017 

  • "Oxford International Art Fair", Oxford Town Hall, Oxford. February 
  • "Elisenda Vila", Solo exhibition. Eduard Mil·lenni Perruquers, Barcelona. April 2016 - July 2017

2016  

  • "Grid Art Fair", Old Truman Brewery, London. October 
  • "Chamaleon Cafe", Angel N1 2BA, London. June - October 2016
  • "Parallax Art Fair 16", Chelsea Town Hall, London. July 2016
  • "Summer Salon 2016", Islington Arts Factory, London.  June - July 2016
  • "Project One Zero Group Show", Bemerton Art Studios, London. April -  June 2016

2015 

  • "Islington Exhibit Series 2015", Voluntary Action Islington, London. November 2015 - January 2016 
  • "Parallax Art Fair 14", Chelsea Town Hall, London. October 2015
  • "Figure & Portrait", BAR Gallery, London. September 2015
  • "Parallax Art Fair 13", Chelsea Town Hall, London. July 2015
  • "Summer Salon 2015", Islington Arts Factory, London. June - July 2015
  • “Creekside Open 2015 by Lisa Milroy”, Art in Perpetuity Trust, London. May 2015
  •  “1st Visual Arts Awards”, Embassy of Brazil, London. May 2015
  • “Le Dame Gallery exhibition”, Meliá White House Hotel, London. March – June 2015
  • “Oxford International Art Fair”, Oxford, UK. February 2015
  • “Go Figure”, Art with Heart, Altrincham, UK. January – March 2015

2014  

  • "Open Space", with Exhibit Here and Moderna Art, London. UK. September 2014
  • "The Ones to Watch", with Exhibit Here and Moderna Art, London. UK. June - July 2
  • “Art Gemini Prize finalists' exhibition", Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London. UK. 2014
  • "Contemporary Painting", Brick Lane Gallery, London. UK. 2014

2013 

  • "Fresh", Jackson’s Art Supplies, London. UK. 2013

2012

  •  "Mirades d'Orient", Solo exhibition. Teatre de Ponent, Granollers. SPAIN. 2012

2011 

  • "Elisenda", Solo exhibition. El Racó de la Cris, Cànoves. SPAIN. 2011
  • "Visions del món", SpaiArt, Berga. SPAIN. 2011
  • "Mirades", Solo exhibition. Clínica CPAE, Barcelona. SPAIN. 2011

2010  

  • "Visions de la dona", Solo exhibition. Masia Can Rimblas, Dosrius. SPAIN. 2010 

2009  

  • "Visions de la dona", Solo exhibition. Glazz, Centelles. SPAIN. 2009

1999 

  • "Col·lectiva 99", Espai Vaho, Barcelona. SPAIN. 1999

Bibliography

Art Magazines:

  • Smira, Katherine. "Artist's directory"​Aestherica magazine, vol. 73. Octubre / November 2016, p. 156

Oficial Catalogues:

  • Global Art Agency Ltd. Oxford Int'l Art Fair Oficial Catalogue, Oxfrod. February 2017, p. 21
  • Global Art Agency Ltd. Oxford International Art Fair, Oxfrod. February 2015, p. 31
  • ArtGemini Prize. ArtGemini Prize 2013 Finalist Exhibition. London 2013, n. 51

Press:

  • Sala Vila, Joan. "Mirades d'Orient d'Elisenda Vila al Teatre de Ponent". Vallès. 29 June 2012. Granollers. 2012, p. 30
  • T.T. "Ponent dedica el mes de juny al teatre fet per joves" ​El 9 Nou. 8 June 2012. Granollers. 2012, p.32 

Self Published

  • Vila, E. Natural World Series. London, 2016 

Awards

  • 1st Visual Arts Awards of the Embassy of Brazil in London finalist, 2015
  • Art Gemini Prize 2013 finalist

Collections

  • The Holloway Art Lending Library, UK
  • Works held in private collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Spain.

Teaching

  • Art Teacher at Institut Jaume Balmes. Barcelona. 2019 - currently.
  • Art and Spanish Leader and Teacher. Minerva Academy, London. 2015 - 2016
  • Art Teacher at St. Peter's Catholic Primary School, Romford. 2015
  • Art Teacher at ARK Bentworth Primary Academy, London. 2015
  • Art Teacher at Stewart Headlam Primary School, London. 2014 
  • Secondary and Primary supply teacher, London. 2013 - 2014
  • Private Art Tutor, London. 2013- 2015
  • Secondary and A-levels art teacher, Government of Catalonia, Spain. 2008 - 2010

Education

  • Postgraduate Diploma of Technical Drawing, University of Barcelona 2008 - 2009
  • Master in Archaeology, University of Barcelona. 2003 - 2005
  • PGCE in Arts, University Polithectic of Catalonia. 2003 - 2004
  • Licentiate degree in Fine Arts, University of Barcelona. 1999 - 2003

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