CODERCH & MALAVIA
(b. 1959 and 1970, Spain)
Coderch & Malavia is a sculpture project in which the human body and human emotion is at the core. A universe of meaningful forms centred on the idealized human figure. Joan Coderch and Javier Malavia came together in 2015 to carry out sculptural work with a refined technique, which is present from the modelling in the studio to the final piece cast in bronze.
Joan Coderch was born in 1959 in Castellar del Vallés, Barcelona, and he graduated from Barcelona’s Faculty of Fine Art in 1984. Javier Malavia was born in 1970 in Oñati, Guipúzcoa, and he graduated from Valencia’s San Carlos Faculty of Fine Art in 1993. After meeting, they discovered their artistic similarities, which led to their undertaking this new project that follows in the footsteps of the masters of figuration- Maillol, Rodin, Marini and Bourdelle.
Part of the originality of their art lies in the way they work. They make their sculptures four-handed, thereby sharing in the creation of every piece. Often inspired by great works of literature or balletic performances, their work stands out due to its honesty and authenticity: they explore different human attitudes to life, the search for emotion through the work, the revealing of the feelings that direct man, the relationship between the figure and posture. The combining of beauty and discipline feature prominently. The human being is at the core of their work.
From the very beginning, Coderch & Malavia have managed to position themselves as outstanding figurative artists. They received the Reina Sofía Painting and Sculpture Prize for their “Hamlet” artwork in 2017 and won First Prize at the 14th ARC International Salon Competition with the sculpture “The Swan Dance” in 2019. Other awards include the Mariano Benlliure Sculpture Medal, the TIAC Art Prize or the Arcadia Contemporary Award.
Nationally and internationally renowned, their work is included in private collections in many countries of Europe, Asia and America. Their work has been exhibited extensively in collective and individual exhibitions in both private entities and public spaces. Many venues in France, the United States (Miami), Mexico, Italy or Greece have had the opportunity of enjoying their works where they regularly exhibit. They were present in Berlin’s Urban Nation Biennial with their sculpture, “Learning to Fly”, in September 2019 and have been the recipient of the prestigious TIAC Art Prize in 2018 and 2020 for their sculptures, “The Tissue of Time” and “Liber” awarded by the International Arts & Culture Group’s International ARC Salon Competition.
In Spain, they have exhibited in the most important cities, A Coruña, Barcelona, Granada, Ibiza, Madrid, Valencia and Malaga. Their work is included in the permanent collection of MEAM (the European Museum of Modern Art), Barcelona, among notable institutions.
Joan Coderch and Javier Malavia currently work in Valencia, in an old 400-square-metre industrial building, which also serves as a private exhibition space for their entire collection.