Javier Garlo exhbition at 2B Art Gallery

Interview: Javier Garlo opens up about his intense love for art

Well-known for his artworks that meet the eye and evoke emotion through an expression of skill and imagination, Javier Garlo is a Spanish visual artist who uses symbolism to display his reflections in art. Javier transcends the subjective experience of a piece of art, where his paintings became immensely expressive psychological profiles, rather than realistic, objective depictions of our world. His works are personal and express his own ideologies, particularly the belief in the power to reveal the truth.

We caught Javier Garlo after his very successful exhibition at 2B Art & Toys Gallery where he opened up about his art, inspirations, and dreams.

Javier Garlo artwork in studio

2B: How did you start? Do you remember your first artwork or mural?

JG: It all started as a game following the hip hop fashion in ’93 and the part that moved me the most was graffiti. My first graffiti was between 5 people. It was 14 years ago and it was in a booth just behind the house. SDP was the name of the graffiti group we had.

Javier Garló - Campeador, Mixed media on canvas

2B: What inspires you?

JG: I think it’s everyday life. Experiences and silence or solitude.

Javier Garlo - Pinocchio

2B: Why urban art and not another type of art?

JG: I don’t see limits, in urban art everything has a place.

Javier Garlo - Perro Ceramico

2B: Galleries, museums, or the streets?

JG: I would divide it into four: Galleries-museums-street walls-churches.

Javier Garlo mural at Capitel Plaza Sta. Catalina Tomás 1282

2B: Tell us a place where you always wanted to paint a mural?

JG: A church/cathedral.

Javier Garlo artwork Mensajero Español R

2B: If you wanted your message to reach a specific audience in a powerful and transcendent way, where would you make your work or where would you place it?

JG: I guess also in a church or cathedral.

Javier Garlo - Recristo artwork

2B: Which technique do you most identify with?

JG: Pencil/charcoal. It’s my base.

Javier Garló - Galgo #3

2B: If you weren’t an artist, what would you have been?

JG: Craftsman and farmer.

Javier Garlo artwork

2B: Do you think that Street Art today has ceased to be transgressive?

JG: Yes.

An image of an original artwork by Javier Garló - Mamelucos y cicuta
An image of an original artwork by Javier Garló – Mamelucos y cicuta

2B: Do you listen to music when you paint? If so, which one?

JG: Not always. But when I do it goes from Antonio Machín, through more current national/international alternative/indie music groups, or Rock classics. Depending on the mood.


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