Measuring 28 feet wide and seven feet tall, two monumental wooden relief sculptures anchor Beyond Silence, a new exhibition at GRAY Chicago featuring works by Catalan artist and sculptor Jaume Plensa.
The broad works—titled “Julia” and “Maria”—were created as part of the artist’s recent series, Beyond Silence, which shares a name with the show. The two paneled pieces transform the gallery’s open exhibition space with their rigid angles, creating a structured rhythm to complement the subdued contours of the faces they depict. As a result, a conversation arises between Plensa’s signature overarching motifs, such as the human figure, use of architectural materials, and the perception of space.
Surrounding these wooden reliefs, viewers encounter dramatically elongated faces stretching seven feet high. The impressive portraits are part of Plensa’s Clouds series, in which the artist pairs cast iron—a material often associated with commercialism and industry—with the suavity of granite stone, “producing an unexpected sense of suspension and weightlessness,” the gallery says.
Like many of Plensa’s works, the large faces stand with their eyes closed, allowing viewers to experience each monumental figure intimately. These impressive pieces evoke a quiet stillness and offer a unique space for introspection, meditation, and a sense of intimacy through shared humanity.
Beyond Silence marks the artist’s tenth solo exhibition with GRAY, and coincides with Remote, Serene, Ethereal opening next week at the gallery’s New York location. Both exhibitions are on view through December 19. And if you’re in Chicago, you can always find Plensa’s iconic work, Crown Fountain, at Millennium Park. Find more from the artist on Instagram.
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