Jaume Plensa's "Sombras y poemas" Exhibition Opens in Tenerife

The CajaCanarias Foundation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife recently opened a new exhibition called Sombras y poemas (Shadows and Poems). It features the work of sculptor and visual artist Jaume Plensa, who was born in Barcelona in 1955. The exhibition showcases nearly a hundred pieces created from the 1990s until now. This collection explores themes like identity, spirituality, language, and self-reflection through sculptures, drawings, and engravings.

This exhibition deeply reflects on what it means to be human. It also highlights the wide range of styles and materials Plensa uses, which have helped him create an internationally recognized artistic voice. Admission is free, and the exhibition runs until June 13, 2026. You can visit Tuesday to Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM, and on Saturdays during morning hours.

The artist himself, Jaume Plensa, attended the opening alongside Margarita Ramos, president of the CajaCanarias Foundation. Ramos spoke about Plensa's strong connection to Tenerife, describing it as "a bond forged over the years, where his work has found its own place, interacting with the Atlantic light, the volcanic landscape, and the cultural diversity of the Islands."

Plensa, a Catalan artist, called the project "a wonderful invitation." He noted that this exhibition adds to his existing works in Tenerife, which include Islas (Islands) in García Sanabria and Carla outside TEA. He explained, "For this exhibition, I have chosen pieces from my more personal work, including engravings and bronze editions. These are more private pieces than those usually displayed in public."

Speaking about the title, Sombras y poemas (Shadows and Poems), Plensa highlighted how important shadows are in sculpture. He said, "They are the direct projection of your body and objects, though they also need light to be present. Often, sculpture wouldn't exist without shadows, but it also wouldn't exist without light."

The idea of "poems" in the title comes from a quote by poet Paul Valéry: "A poem is never finished, only abandoned." Plensa explained, "Many of the works in this exhibition I have abandoned. And I have abandoned them to a fate that is completed each time I show them."

For the first time in the Canary Islands, Sombras y poemas brings together nearly a hundred works by Jaume Plensa, offering a wide look at his artistic journey. This collection encourages visitors to reflect on the human condition, which is a core theme in all his art. The pieces explore topics like identity, spirituality, communication, language, and self-reflection. Together, they create a dialogue, a chorus of inner voices, and a constellation of thoughts and feelings, where art offers a moment for pause and meditation.

Visitors are greeted by a photograph over 12 meters long, taken in the artist's studio. Inside the exhibition, various materials and forms seem to whisper stories. Highlights include Minna, a stainless steel sculpture over three meters tall that commands the auditorium hall, and Julia and Mar, delicate alabaster heads. The display also features engravings and prints that glow from within, and iron pieces so light they appear to float. Figures made of letters, musical notes, calm faces, and bronze and glass structures that resemble flowing water will surprise visitors as they explore the space.

Sombras y poemas emphasizes the delicate nature of the human condition. It showcases the many artistic ways Jaume Plensa expresses his creative world: huge sculptures that encourage quiet contemplation, drawings that seem to release thoughts, and engravings that try to capture what cannot be touched. Through Sombras y poemas, Plensa delves into the human experience, focusing on its vulnerability and spiritual side.