Javier Calleja

Spanish born artist, Javier Calleja, is widely celebrated for his instantly recognisable characters with disproportionately large heads, exaggerated eyes and dark humorous text. Through a balance of satire and whimsey, Calleja escapes the over-theorisation of art, creating works that are readily accessible and a pleasure to connect with.

Born in Malaga, Spain in 1971, Javier Calleja studied Fine Arts at the University of Granada and completed further art studies in 2002 whilst training as a gymnast for the Olympics. He has since been exhibited globally and garnered a plethora of awards. Working in a range of different mediums, Calleja often plays with the scale and perspective in his presentations. Both small and large in scale, his installations regularly focus on beguiling the viewer.

Later developments, especially with his debut with Aisho Nanzuka in Hong Kong, saw the premier of the now iconic big-eyed child characters. Originally based off the artist’s own experiences and feelings, they have become Calleja’s unmistakable signature. These characters have evolved over paintings, drawings, sculpture and objects, almost solely depicting young children of a young teenage age. ‘Don’t be Bad’ (2019), depicts oversized, watery eyes with the subtle addition of a red blush. Javier Calleja’s characters are little heroes who appear to have overcome something painful. The viewer resonates with the works through the multitude of medias they are produced in.

Javier Calleja has branched into merchandise, creating collections of marketable bags, sneakers, and clothing. A most notable brand collaboration has been with Vans. He has shown at galleries in Madrid, Paris and New York and in March 2021, Calleja’s secondary-market record broke US$1 million for the first time, when his 2019 painting ‘Waiting for a While” sold for HK$8.8 million.