EXHIBITIONS
Matiz Gallery presents contemporary art exhibitions in Barcelona, focusing on abstract, material and process-based practices from Europe and Latin America. Explore current and past exhibitions, including BASPcr, artist-led projects and collaborative shows.
BASPcr Mesa III – Body and Territory
5 November – 21 December 2026
Body and Territory brings together Rafael Dussan, Alberto Ruiz Villar, Adam Weismann, Lori Goldberg and Alexandre Clanis at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona. Centred on Dussan’s Caribbean narratives, the exhibition explores bodily expression, sovereignty and the conditions that sustain freedom. Part of BASPcr, it connects art with cultural exchange and research into Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera.
Amada Tinoco & El León Pardo | Contemporary Dance and Colombian Gaita in Barcelona
A collaborative performance within BASPcr Mesa III — Body and Territory
Body, Music and Memory
Matiz Gallery presents a collaborative performance by Colombian dancer and performing artist Amada Tinoco and musician and gaita player El León Pardo. Contemporary dance and the sounds of the Colombian gaita come together in an artistic encounter exploring the relationships between the body, memory, freedom and cultural transmission.
Both artists share deep ties to Cartagena de Indias. Tinoco trained at El Colegio del Cuerpo, while El León Pardo developed his musical language through the gaita, the traditions of Montes de María and his exploration of contemporary sounds. The Colombian gaita, also known as kuisi, has Indigenous roots and a musical history shaped by contributions from Afro-descendant and rural Caribbean communities.
The performance takes place among the artworks of Body and Territory, the third BASPcr exhibition, entering into dialogue especially with Rafael Dussan's paintings.
In Guiomar Bras (2009), Dussan examines enslavement, colonial persecution and bodily sovereignty through the figure of a Black woman whose history, according to the artwork's accompanying texts, is associated with the Inquisition in Cartagena. In Conquistando Libertades I (2023), female bodies and mangrove landscapes evoke struggles against colonial domination and the conditions necessary to sustain collective freedom, including the organisation of autonomous communities.
The encounter between movement, music and painting introduces contemporary practices that preserve and transform artistic traditions from Colombia's Caribbean region, offering new perspectives on historical memory, territory and bodily expression.
From the Colombian Caribbean to Barcelona
This performance takes on particular significance in Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, the neighbourhood where Matiz Gallery is located.
According to Barcelona's Municipal Population Register of 1 January 2026, the neighbourhood had 22,989 registered residents, of whom 14,040 were born outside Spain. Of these, 5,597 were born in the Americas, representing 39.9% of its foreign-born population.
The latest exact country-of-birth breakdown located in BASPcr's research, dating from January 2023, recorded 1,302 Argentina-born residents, 519 born in Colombia, 441 in Venezuela and 394 in Brazil. Argentina was the largest single foreign country of birth among the neighbourhood's residents in the 2023 data, alongside substantial populations born in other European, African, Asian and Latin American countries.
Across the wider Ciutat Vella district, the 2026 register recorded 23,346 residents born in the Americas, representing 30.3% of its 77,143 foreign-born residents.
These figures reveal different migration histories and important demographic differences between the neighbourhood and the district. Place of birth does not determine a common cultural identity, but it helps establish the significance of relations between Latin America and Barcelona within the city's contemporary life.
The historical dimension is equally relevant. Sant Pere was an important centre of indianes textile manufacturing during the eighteenth century. The Museu d'Història de Barcelona has documented the city's participation in colonial commerce and slavery. Dussan's paintings approach these histories through the experiences of people subjected to colonial domination, now exhibited in a European city connected to the economic structures that sustained it.
Cultural Expression and Collective Participation
In Barcelona, music, dance, gastronomy and intercultural festivals have provided important spaces for expression and public visibility among migrant communities. Yet research into cultural diversity and civic participation identifies a contradiction: institutions may promote these cultural expressions while barriers persist that limit the participation of the same populations in decisions affecting their living conditions.
Lluís Bonet's 2006 study examined the limitations of cultural policies that reduce diversity to folkloric activities. A 2018 study commissioned by Barcelona City Council documented participants' interest in addressing housing, education, employment and the organisation of the city, alongside administrative, economic, linguistic and representational obstacles to participation.
These questions also concern the material conditions of participation: access to housing, employment, time and residential stability shapes people's ability to establish lasting relationships and organise collectively within a territory.
The studies document historical barriers across Barcelona and Ciutat Vella; their present extent within Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera requires further investigation.
Amada Tinoco and El León Pardo's performance brings together two artistic practices with deep historical and cultural roots. Within BASPcr, the encounter also provides an opportunity to share territorial research, introduce existing neighbourhood organisations and participation structures, and explore relationships extending beyond the event.
How can cultural encounters contribute to broader participation in the decisions and institutions shaping a territory?
BASPcr — From Artistic Encounters to Collective Organisation
The performance forms part of the first public application of BASPcr — Barri de l'Art Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, Matiz Gallery's cultural research and practice programme.
Drawing on psychogeographic studies, municipal documentation, academic research and investigations into local institutions, BASPcr examines how territory is organised, who participates in cultural and political structures and where decisions affecting everyday life are made.
During the event, Matiz plans to share accessible findings from BASPcr's territorial research, including the documented barriers to migrant participation and the structures through which residents can engage in neighbourhood affairs. These include the Consell de Barri and its Comissió de Seguiment, alongside existing civic and community organisations such as Associació Veïnal Casc Antic, EICA Casc Antic and the Casal de Barri Pou de la Figuera.
By bringing this information into an artistic gathering, BASPcr seeks to create opportunities for dialogue, exchange and possible longer-term relationships. Any subsequent participation or collective initiative will depend on the interests of those involved.
The Artists - Amada Tinoco
Amada Tinoco is a Colombian dancer, performing artist, researcher and educator specialising in contemporary dance. Trained at El Colegio del Cuerpo in Cartagena de Indias and Barcelona's Institut del Teatre, her practice connects movement, collective memory, migration and performance.
Founder of the artistic collective LAOTRA, she has developed projects such as Saturnino en los Montes de María and contributed to interdisciplinary research including CORNERSTONES, associated with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Her trajectory includes performances and collaborations at venues such as Fundació Antoni Tàpies in Barcelona and Berlin's Ballhaus Naunynstraße.
El León Pardo
Jorge Emilio Pardo Vásquez, known professionally as El León Pardo, is a Colombian composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist and gaita player. Raised in Cartagena de Indias, with family roots in San Jacinto, he began playing the gaita in childhood.
His music brings together the traditions of Montes de María with contemporary composition, sound experimentation and traditional gaita-making. His collaborations include Velandia y La Tigra, Ondatrópica, Frente Cumbiero and Curupira.
Event Information
Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Time: To be confirmed
Venue: Matiz Gallery, Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt 48, Local 1, 08003 Barcelona
Suggested voluntary contribution: €5
Part of BASPcr Mesa III — Body and Territory, on view from 5 November to 21 December 2026.
Explore the exhibition — Body and Territory
Sources: Barcelona City Council, Municipal Population Register (2023, 2026) and cultural participation study (2018); Lluís Bonet (2006); Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA). Territorial research and interpretation: BASPcr, P06 and Connection 02A.
ImageNation Barcelona 2026
From 29 to 31 May 2026, Matiz Gallery hosts ImageNation Barcelona, an international group exhibition of contemporary photography organised by ImageNation Paris and curated by Martin Vegas. Following editions in Paris, New York, Venice, Arles, Milan, Los Angeles and London, the project arrives in Barcelona with a wide-ranging selection of photographers working across analogue, digital and Polaroid formats.
Between Shadows and Light – Contemporary Duality
Contemporary art exhibition in Barcelona by Hugues Bekaert
BASPcr Table II - Material Encounter
Contemporary art exhibition in Barcelona exploring materiality through works by Adam Weismann, Alexandre Clanis, Alberto Ruiz Villar and Jordi Artigas.
Four Perspectives on Photography | Matiz Gallery Barcelona
A collaborative photography exhibition presented at Matiz Gallery, bringing together works by Andrés Salaverría, María Torrecillas, Laura Pérez Vernetti and Sierra Fonells through distinct approaches to shadow, gesture, landscape, and perception.
Among us — Art as a tool for belonging and dialogue
Among Us (Entre Nosotres / Entre Nosaltres) inaugurates the new space of Matiz Gallery, in collaboration with bureau mud. The exhibition brings together works by Nina Akhobadze, the presentation of Danarti_zine, and a roundtable with Aea: Culture Initiative, expanding the dialogue with artists from Europe and Latin America.
The show poses a central question: How do we rebuild a sense of belonging when migration disrupts it? Through art, it creates a space of dialogue and solidarity connecting Tbilisi, Barcelona, and Latin American contexts.
La marroqui
One of the year’s most ambitious initiatives and a core action of BASPcr (Barri de l’Art), La Marroquí is a hybrid artist residency and exhibition dedicated to Moroccan women and LGBTQ+ artists. Hosted within Matiz Gallery in Barcelona’s historic Sant Pere neighborhood, the project invites artists to live and create directly in the space, fostering immersive cultural exchange and critical reflection on representation, migration, and belonging.
During the 2–3 week residency, the gallery will host a series of open activities, including workshops, artist talks, and informal gatherings. These will culminate in a public exhibition of the works produced, remaining on view in the gallery for approximately one month.
The project seeks to challenge dominant narratives and explore the perception of the Moroccan community—who represent 3.9% of the neighborhood’s residents (Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2023)—among Catalan, Spanish, and European locals. Through art, we aim to forge new spaces of mutual recognition and community-building.
Women in Art: Lori Goldberg
Join Matiz Gallery during Semana del Arte 2024 for an extraordinary exhibition featuring Palma Alvariño, Jordi Artigas, Alberto Ruiz Villar, Sébastien Chéramy, and Catherine Parra. Explore exceptional abstract and figurative works that celebrate contemporary art. Immerse yourself in Barcelona’s vibrant cultural scene and experience the creativity shaping modern artistry.
setmana-de-lart-2024
Join Matiz Gallery during Semana del Arte 2024 for an extraordinary exhibition featuring Palma Alvariño, Jordi Artigas, Alberto Ruiz Villar, Sébastien Chéramy, and Catherine Parra. Explore exceptional abstract and figurative works that celebrate contemporary art. Immerse yourself in Barcelona’s vibrant cultural scene and experience the creativity shaping modern artistry.
Convergences
Convergences is an exhibition that invites you to explore the fascinating intersection between abstract and figurative art. From September 1-30, our gallery becomes a dynamic space where young contemporary artists share their unique perspectives of the world.
Live painting Carlos Delgado 2024
Experience the captivating live painting event by Carlos Delgado at Matiz Gallery in Barcelona. Witness the renowned Colombian-Canadian artist create dynamic abstract art in real time, blending vibrant colors and emotions into each stroke. This one-of-a-kind performance invites viewers to connect with the creative process and immerse themselves in the energy of modern art.
Emerge: Traces of a New Future - Exhibition of Emerging Artists at Matiz Gallery Barcelona
Emerge: Traces of a New Future is an exhibition that brings together a group of young emerging artists, both abstract and figurative, who are shaping the current art scene. The exhibition aims to showcase the diversity of styles and approaches that characterize this new generation of artists, as well as their potential to transform the art world.
The artists participating in the exhibition experiment with a wide range of media and techniques, from painting and sculpture to video and performance.
Their work reflects a constant search for new forms of artistic expression. The artists in the exhibition address a wide range of social and political issues in their work, such as identity, globalization, climate change and the migration crisis. Their work seeks to provoke reflection and dialogue among the public. The exhibition aims to give visibility to the work of emerging artists and contribute to their professional development. In addition, the exhibition seeks to bring contemporary art closer to the general public and encourage interest in new artistic proposals.
Eccentric Abstraction - Alex Voinea’s Neo-Expressionist Art
Emerge: Traces of a New Future is an exhibition that brings together a group of young emerging artists, both abstract and figurative, who are shaping the current art scene. The exhibition aims to showcase the diversity of styles and approaches that characterize this new generation of artists, as well as their potential to transform the art world.
The artists participating in the exhibition experiment with a wide range of media and techniques, from painting and sculpture to video and performance.
Their work reflects a constant search for new forms of artistic expression. The artists in the exhibition address a wide range of social and political issues in their work, such as identity, globalization, climate change and the migration crisis. Their work seeks to provoke reflection and dialogue among the public. The exhibition aims to give visibility to the work of emerging artists and contribute to their professional development. In addition, the exhibition seeks to bring contemporary art closer to the general public and encourage interest in new artistic proposals.
Urban Dreams by Simon Cruz
Experience Urban Dreams by Simon Cruz, an internationally renowned Mexican artist, at Matiz Gallery Barcelona. This exhibition reflects life in modern cities through abstract art and urban avant-garde influences, using mixed media and vibrant colors to explore themes of meditation, society, and cultural heritage. Visit matizbcn.com to discover this dynamic showcase.
Contrastes - Jordi Artigas
Discover Contrastes by Jordi Artigas at Matiz Gallery Barcelona (12.01.2024 - 14.03.2024). This series explores the paradox of harmony and disruption through intentional contrasts between order and spontaneity. Artigas uses a unique medium of coffee, glue, and water on canvases, featuring natural linen and blank spaces. Visit matizbcn.com to experience this captivating abstract art exhibition.
Christmas ARTmarkt
Visit Matiz Gallery’s Christmas ARTmarkt from December 17th to January 14th, 2023, featuring a festive fusion of art and hospitality. Don’t miss the Flower Pop-Up event on December 17th, 2-8 pm, showcasing unique art pieces perfect for holiday gifting or collecting. Celebrate creativity and the season in Barcelona. Visit matizbcn.com for details on this special Christmas Art Market.
Art-Cat 2023 at Matiz Gallery - Barcelona Abstracta Featuring Ruiz Villar and Catherine Parra
Celebrate Setmana de l'Art 2023 at Matiz Gallery, part of Art-Cat 2023, from November 23rd to January 14th. Discover Barcelona Abstracta, showcasing works by Alberto Ruiz Villar and Catherine Parra. Enjoy art talks, an exclusive art raffle, and immerse yourself in this tribute to visual arts. Explore creativity and culture in Barcelona. Visit matizbcn.com for event details.
The essence of the form
Explore The Essence of Form, a new art exhibition by Palma Alvariño at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona. Through painting and sculpture, Alvariño invites viewers to engage with shapes and colors in a sensory and contemplative way, transcending rational interpretation. Immerse yourself in this captivating artistic journey. Visit matizbcn.com for details on this unique exhibition.
La Naturaleza No Muerta - Simón Cruz
Discover La Naturaleza No Muerta by Simón Cruz at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona (29.07.2023 - 15.09.2023). This exhibition features oil paintings and drawings exploring human nature, spirituality, and Mexican cultural heritage. With vibrant colors, metallic textures, and meditative poses, Cruz invites a transformative journey of self-discovery. Visit matizbcn.com for details on this profound showcase.
Live painting with Carlos Delgado
Join Carlos Delgado’s live painting residency at Matiz Gallery from May 2 to June 30, 2023. Experience TRANSITION, blending abstraction and personal memories of the Colombian countryside. Don’t miss poetry and live music sessions on May 5 and 12, and the vernissage on May 18. Explore this vibrant exhibition and witness Delgado’s dynamic artistic process. Visit matizbcn.com for details.
Jordi Artigas Art Exhibition
Discover Jordi Artigas’s art exhibition at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona (02.02.2023 - 07.04.2023). Featuring natural and earthy pigments, this showcase highlights the profound evolution of Artigas’s career, now at its creative peak. Explore textured, innovative works that reflect his artistic mastery. Visit matizbcn.com for details and to view his captivating art.
Joint Exhibition - Palma Alvariño, Alex Voinea, and Jordi Artigas at Matiz Gallery Barcelona
Explore the Joint Exhibition featuring Palma Alvariño, Alex Voinea, and Jordi Artigas at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona (01.01.2023 - 01.02.2023). This unique showcase brings together their diverse artistic styles, from abstract vibrancy to earthy textures. Discover the harmony of contemporary art in this captivating exhibition. Visit matizbcn.com for more details.
La escritura de las apariencias - Nicolas Cifuentes
Experience La Escritura de las Apariencias at Matiz Gallery (25.11.2022 - 30.11.2022), a poetic journey exploring identity, nature, and ancestral wisdom. This photography and film exhibition highlights the voices of the Tayronas and local communities of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Discover a profound connection between spiritual beliefs and territory. Visit matizbcn.com for details.
P.A.F. Art Exhibition - Abstract Exploration by Alvariño, Dumortier, and Ruiz at Matiz Gallery
Explore P.A.F., a joint art exhibition featuring Palma Alvariño, Florent Dumortier, and Alberto Ruiz at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona (16.06.2022 - 20.07.2022). This distinct exhibition invites viewers on a journey through abstraction, showcasing diverse styles and innovative artistic approaches. Visit matizbcn.com to learn more about this unique showcase of contemporary art.
Alex Voinea Exhibition - Vibrant Abstract Art at Matiz Gallery Barcelona
Discover the captivating abstract art of Alex Voinea at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona (08.03.2022 - 14.05.2022). This exhibition showcases Voinea's dynamic compositions, bold color palettes, and innovative techniques. Experience the energy and emotion of his vibrant artworks. Visit matizbcn.com for more details about this must-see exhibition.
Claude Andreini Exhibition - Textures and Volumes in Art at Matiz Gallery Barcelona
Experience Claude Andreini’s exhibition at Matiz Gallery, Barcelona (03.01.2022 - 26.02.2022). Andreini explores textures and volumes, transitioning seamlessly between sculpture and photography. From analog to digital, his innovative works feature unique materials like plaster and paper. Discover this captivating showcase of artistic evolution. Visit matizbcn.com for details.
