The Image as Wound, is composed of works that delve into the fallen body, symbolism, and the potency of imagery. The central piece—one of Villalba’s most dramatic and significant sculptures—is El Enfermo (The Patient), (1974-1991). It depicts a body bound inside a methacrylate chrysalis, suspended in an atmosphere of pain and silence. Alongside this sculpture, Gioconda Seated II (Homage to Lucio Fontana), (1969), portrays an anonymous woman seated quietly in a park. Completing the selection is D’Après El Greco, (1995), a reinterpreted painting echoing spiritual heritage.

Despite being created at different moments in Villalba’s career, all these works share a common tension: the body paused at a threshold between the visible and the invisible. They express the unique vision of an artist who transformed art into an emotional battleground, where images no longer merely represent but rather embody experiences.

Darío Villalba (1939 – 2018, Spain) was a key figure in shaping contemporary Spanish art. His work, deeply rooted in the exploration of human vulnerability, gained international recognition following his participation in the 1970 Venice Biennale, where he presented exceptional pieces that marked a turning point in his career. Darío has been part of the Luis Adelantado since his first exhibition in the mid-1990s. Today, the gallery continues to work closely with his family, upholding the values and interests of a legacy that remains fundamental to contemporary art.

Select solo exhibitions include Galerie Poggi, Paris (2024); Fundación Suñol, Barcelona (2016); Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid (2007).Select group exhibitions include Museo Patio Herreriano, Valladolid (2024); Museum of Modern Art, New York (2020–23, 1984); Pinault Collection, Rennes (2018); 14th Lyon Biennale, Lyon (2017); Venice Biennale (2013, 1993); Istanbul Biennial (2011); Havana Biennale (2009, 1994, 1992); Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (1987). His works are held in collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MNCARS, the Guggenheim, IVAM, and the Pinault Collection.

Luis Adelantado is a contemporary art gallery founded in 1985 in Valencia by Luis Adelantado. Since 2015, it has been directed by Olga Adelantado, who has consolidated a curatorial approach based on intergenerational dialogue and the coexistence of established and emerging voices. Throughout its trajectory, the gallery has become a reference place for understanding the Spanish scene, developing a diverse program that engages with the current landscape of contemporary art. Its regular presence at international fairs and projects reinforces a global vision while maintaining strong ties to its local context.