Sergi Aguilar's Red and Black Homage to Blinky Palermo

Sculptor Sergi Aguilar (Barcelona, 1946) presents 'D'après Blinky' at La Nave Sánchez Ubiría in Madrid through May 29. The exhibition honors German artist Blinky Palermo, whose work has long inspired Aguilar. Aguilar's signature palette of red and black, with black from marble and red emerging like lightning, defines his sculpture. He directed the Fundació Suñol in Barcelona from its founding in 2007 until 2021. Aguilar first encountered Palermo in 1969 while living in Germany, seeing an exhibition that left a lasting impact. Palermo was a student of Joseph Beuys, and Aguilar was drawn to his poetic world. The current show grew from a series of drawings and small steel sculptures, including one resembling Palermo's 'Blue Bridge' (1964). Aguilar began his career in contemporary jewelry, studying at the Escola Massana in Barcelona, and later shifted to sculpture at age 22. His early work in Menorca (1972) using found tree trunks led to a breakthrough piece, 'Tronc-Espai-Terra-Eina' (1974), now in the Museo Reina Sofía, included in the exhibition 'Colección. Arte Contemporáneo. 1975-Presente' curated by Manuel Segade. In 1978, gallerist Fernando Vijande connected him with American curator Margit Rowell, leading to his selection for 'New Image from Spain' at the Guggenheim Museum New York, alongside artists like Carmen Calvo, Antoni Muntadas, and Miquel Navarro.