Artist Statements
My paintings often begin with a fleeting visual impression: a shadow crossing a wall, a reflection in a window, a fragment of architecture, or the changing colours of the evening sky.
What fascinates me is not simply what I see, but where that image leads. A small detail can trigger a chain of associations and visual ideas. Memories, emotions and imagination gradually intertwine with observation, transforming a real moment into something entirely new.
Rather than reproducing reality, I use it as a starting point. The final image emerges through a dialogue between the visible world and the inner landscape of thoughts, dreams and memories.
Light plays a central role in this process. It shapes atmosphere, reveals unexpected connections and guides the transformation of ordinary scenes into poetic visual narratives.
Cities occupy an important place in my artistic practice. I enjoy observing them, absorbing their atmosphere, rhythm, and character. Every city leaves its own emotional imprint. In my work, I strive to convey not so much its outward appearance as my personal perception and experience of the place. For this reason, my cityscapes are more personal interpretations than accurate representations.
One of the favorite subjects in my painting is the Northern Lights. I am fascinated by the beauty of this natural phenomenon, its mystery, and the sense of wonder it evokes. I have returned to this theme many times, creating series of works inspired by the grandeur of nature and the extraordinary beauty of our world.
Through my work, I seek to capture that fragile moment when reality gives way to imagination and a familiar place becomes the beginning of a story. connections and guides the transformation of ordinary scenes into poetic visual narratives.
And yes, I am constantly exploring new themes, techniques, and discoveries!
Biography
My name is Galia Caren. I am an artist, sketcher, art historian, and art educator. I live and work in Barcelona.
Born in Russia, I showed a strong interest in drawing, painting, and experimenting with various artistic materials from an early age. As a teenager, I not only attended an art studio and art school but also organized my own drawing club for classmates. Later, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Interior Design, Furnishings, and Decorative Textiles, from the Faculty of Applied Arts and Design in Moscow.
In my artistic practice, I work with materials such as: acrylics, oils, watercolors, pastels, and markers, and I also use batik and tapestry techniques. After graduation, I spent many years working as a graphic designer and art director for advertising agencies and renowned magazines, including GQ, Gala, and Burda.
My family and I moved to Barcelona in 2013, and it was here that I was finally able to devote myself fully to my own artistic practice. Since then, I have explored a variety of artistic directions while developing a distinctive visual language that combines elements of realism and imagination. The light, architecture, and atmosphere of the city have become an essential source of inspiration for my work.
I have my artworks in private collections in Spain, Italy, and Russia and have been exhibited at international exhibitions across Europe and the United States.
Selected Exhibitions, Competitions & Art Fairs:
- INTERNATIONAL ART COMPETITION, Barcelona, Spain, 2–12 February 2017. The artwork “Catalan Couple in a Rural Setting” received 5th Prize.
- Group Exhibition, Shiva Art Center, Barcelona, Spain, 8 March – 12 April 2017.
- Participant in Artboxprojects at Art Basel Week, Basel, Switzerland, June 2017.
- Permanent Artist represented by the galleries of Grup d’Art Escola, Catalonia, Spain, 2017–2018 Season.
- Art & Fashion Festival, ARTERIA BCN Gallery, Barcelona, Spain, 8–9 December 2017.
- Group Exhibition “Art Samples”, El Pozairon, Barcelona, Spain, 15 December 2017 – 15 January 2018.
- Artboxproject during Armory Art Weeks 5, New York City, USA, 5–17 March 2018.
- Permanent Artist represented by the galleries of Grup d’Art Escola, Catalonia, Spain, 2018–2019 Season.
- Group Exhibition “What If I Were the Reflection of the Soul”, New Art Gallery, Barcelona, Spain, 4–15 October 2018.
- Group Exhibition “Pinceladas Dominicanas”, New Art Gallery, Barcelona, Spain, 8–16 November 2018.
- Group Exhibition “Contemporary Visions”, Sitges, Spain, 1–13 March 2019.
- Group Exhibition “Women Who Inspire”, Consulate of El Salvador, Barcelona, Spain, 9–30 March 2019.
- Group Exhibition “Crossing Borders”, New Art Gallery, Rome, Italy, 14–27 March 2019.
- Group Exhibition “Ordered Silence”, Art Cuestion Gallery, Ourense, Spain, 11 April – 31 May 2019.
- International Group Exhibition “Sagrado Corazón de Jesús”, New York, USA, 3 May 2019.
- International Group Exhibition, Quartier Latin Arts Gallery, Paris, France, 1–10 July 2019.
- Summer Art Show “Arago 232”, Barcelona, Spain, 4–16 July 2019.
- International Group Exhibition SUPER EXPO, Prado Goyart Gallery, Madrid, Spain, 26 July – 16 August 2019.
- International Group Exhibition, Il Laboratorio Gallery, Rome, Italy, 5–14 August 2019.
- International Group Exhibition “Women in Power”, New York, USA, 20–24 August 2019.
- Permanent Artist represented by Grup d’Art Escola Galleries. Catalonia, Spain, 2019–2020 Season.
- Heart & Soul International Group Exhibition Hispanic Cultural Arts Center, Miami, USA, 11–19 September 2019
- “Women in Art 2020” International Group Exhibition ArteAdiscar Gallery, Málaga, Spain,| 7–31 March 2020.
- Permanent Artist represented by Galeria d’Art Mar Escola. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 2020–2021 Season.
- Permanent Artist represented by Galeria d’Art Mar Escola. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 2021–2022 Season.
- 3 Group Exhibitions in ArtTek Gallery. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 2024–2025 Season.
- Solo Exhibition ArtTek Gallery. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, October 2024
- Permanent Artist represented by Galeria d’Art Mar Escola. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 2025–2026 Season.
- Group Exhibitions and Art Competitions Reial Cercle Artístic de Barcelona.
- Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 2025–2026 Season.
- Solo Exhibition La Bòbila Cultural Center. L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain, January 2026.
- “Spring Art” Group Exhibition, Le Petit Atelier. Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, March 2026.
- LIBERArt Group Exhibition, Libre est l’Art Gallery. Paris, France, May 2026.
- Summer Art Group Exhibition, Le Petit Atelier. Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, June 2026.
Curatorial & Educational Activities
- Organizer of group exhibitions featuring her students’ artworks at La Bòbila Cultural Center. L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain, November 2023, January 2025, March 2026.
Professional Experience
Following the completion of her education, I worked as a Graphic Designer and Art Director from 1997 to 2013 for leading international publishing houses and advertising agencies in Moscow, Russia.
My professional experience includes work with publications such as:
- GQ (Condé Nast)
- Gala (Gruner + Jahr)
- Burda (Hubert Burda Media)
- as well as with Independent Press Publishing House and several advertising agencies.
Education
- Moscow University of Arts and Technologies – Faculty of Fine Arts and Design.
La especialidad: Textile and Interior Designer. 1990–1995. Moscow, Russia. - School of Fine Arts No. 1. 1984–1989. Moscow, Russia.