Coderch & Malavia
Coderch & Malavia is a sculpture project in which the human body is at the heart of the plastic discourse. A universe of meaningful forms, centered on the idealized human figure. And a clear horizon: beauty as an everyday tool.
Joan Coderch and Javier Malavia teamed up in 2015 to produce sculptural work with a refined technique, showcasing everything from modeling in the studio to the final piece cast in bronze.
Joan Coderch was born in 1959 in Castellar del Vallés, Barcelona, and graduated from Barcelona's Faculty of Fine Arts in 1984. Javier Malavia was born in 1970 in Oñati, Guipúzcoa, and graduated from the Facultad de Bellas Artes San Carlos de Valencia in 1993. Once they met, they discovered their artistic similarities, which led them to embark on this new project that follows in the footsteps of the masters of figuration such as Maillol, Rodin, Marini and Bourdelle.
Part of the originality of their art lies in their way of working, as they create their sculptures with four hands, taking part in the creation of the pieces themselves.
Joan and Javier also share the values of their artistic creation, such as social commitment to equality, the environment and childhood.
Their project is distinguished by its honesty and authenticity: they explore different human attitudes to life, in the mimics of nature, the search for emotion through the work, the unveiling of the feelings that drive man, the encounter between figure and posture, and the combination of beauty and discipline occupies a prominent place. The human being is at the heart of their art.
From the outset, Coderch and Malavia have succeeded in positioning themselves as outstanding figurative artists. They received the Reina Sofía Painting and Sculpture Prize for their work "Hamlet" in 2017 and won first prize in the 14th ARC International Salon competition with the sculpture "Swan Dance" in 2019. Their other awards include the Mariano Benlliure Sculpture Medal, the TIAC Art Prize or the Arcadia Contemporary Awards.
In addition to being nationally and internationally renowned, their work is part of private collections in several European, Asian and American countries. They present their work in group and solo exhibitions in private entities and public spaces. Numerous venues in France, the United States (Miami), Mexico, Italy and Greece have had the opportunity to appreciate their work, where they exhibit regularly. They were present at the Urban Nation Biennial in Berlin with their piece "Apprendre à voler" in September 2019.
The artist's works
In Spain, they have exhibited in major cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. Joan Coderch and Javier Malavia currently work in Valencia, in a 600-square-meter industrial building that also serves as a private exhibition space for their entire collection.
