Galería Canalejas

Mark Whalen's exhibition at Galería Canalejas: a unique experience

January 12, 2024

Art, Luxury and Culture merge in a unique experience. The collaboration between Galería Canalejas and Urvanity Projects brings Mark Whalen's captivating sculpture, Moments, to Calle Alcalá 10/12. A vibrant expression that turns the city into a living canvas.

Madrid's latest luxury and cultural landmark, Galería Canalejas, announces an exciting collaboration with Urvanity Projects, a cultural platform that offers a global experience for local visitors and tourists alike. A partnership that harmoniously integrates art and culture in a unique and exclusive destination.

As part of this collaboration, Galeria Canalejas will present a monumental work: the sculpture "Moments" (2021) by the celebrated Australian artist Mark Whalen. From 11 January to 11 March, this impressive jewel will occupy a prominent place on its doors at 10-12 Alcalá Street, enriching the urban environment and consolidating Galería Canalejas' commitment to the promotion of art. This news coincides with Art Week in Madrid, where the city is bursting with creativity at every turn.

Mark Whalen, renowned for his distinctive, groundbreaking and ironic work, will donate one of his sculptures from the series "i am just here". The impressive and colourful work highlights in a dreamlike way, the relationship between the mundane and the absurd, capturing the human concerns that permeate our environment. Through an ironic gaze and a comic undertone, Whalen seeks to convey and show the broad spectrum of human emotions.

However, it should be noted that this monumental work will not only be an aesthetic element, but will function as a beacon, offering passers-by the possibility of enjoying contemporary art while strolling through the heart of the city.

In addition, the installation of "Moments" demonstrates Galería Canalejas' commitment to the democratisation of art and the creation of inclusive cultural experiences, transforming the urban landscape into a vibrant canvas, where art integrates seamlessly with the everyday life of the city.


Karine Titli, director of Galería Canalejas, shares her pride in collaborating with Urvanity Projects, extending a warm welcome to visitors to Galería Canalejas and its Food Hall, where Mark Whalen's work is yet another manifestation of the gallery's ongoing dedication to promoting art and creating unique experiences in the capital.

In this way, Galería Canalejas strengthens its commitment to art as an engine of inspiration, dialogue and cultural enrichment, supporting contemporary art in one of the city's most prominent museum hubs. Mark Whalen's sculpture will not only be a visual testament to this commitment, but also a significant addition to Madrid's artistic landscape, marking a milestone in the harmonious fusion of luxury, culture and art in the Spanish capital.

About Mark Whalen

Mark Whalen is an artist known for his versatile and interdisciplinary approach, primarily dedicated to sculpture, spanning scales ranging from small tabletop pieces to towering immersive sculptures. His creative process begins with digital maquettes without gender or specific physical body, which are materialised in polyurethane and chrome on aluminium, and then spray-painted in fluorine tones.

The distinctive body language and exaggerated facial expressions present in his works not only add a touch of humour, but also carry the weight of social anxiety. Each resulting figure is part of an overall narrative, giving rise to a unique fictional protagonist. The figures are part of a collection that represents a broad spectrum of human emotions.

Whalen's work has been exhibited in leading museums and art galleries around the world, including Pop68/Ruttowski 68 in Germany, Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga, the Art Macro Museum of Contemporary Art in Italy, the National Gallery of Australia and the Arsham Fieg Gallery in the United States, for example. This makes him an artist whose work transcends borders, carrying with it a unique and provocative message.


About Urvanity Projects

Urvanity Projects is an essential element in driving both brands and cultural agents forward, developing collaborative projects that are mutually beneficial.

Thanks to its expertise and its prominent role in today's cultural scene, Urvanity Projects creates the ideal environment for this collaboration. Furthermore, it has the necessary tools to develop cultural projects of great interest, adapted to any brand that wants to gain relevance in the market.

These projects aim to be highly beneficial for both parties, thus contributing to achieve more ambitious goals. Functioning as an active and coordinated mechanism, Urvanity Projects connects the mutual interests of two key agents in our society: culture and brands.



This project is realised with the invaluable support of the Madrid City Council's Directorate General of Commerce, Hospitality and Consumer Affairs, through the Todo está en Madrid programme.

What are you waiting for to visit Mark Whalen's exhibition at Galería Canalejas? Open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 to 20:30, Sundays and public holidays from 12:00 to 20:00 in Plaza de Canalejas, 1.