Joaquim Riera

Joaquim Riera aka Recuperart (Barcelona, 1953)

This 69-year-old artist lives and has his studio in Barcelona. After a professional life dedicated to graphic design, in 2012 he discovered recycling materials to create art. He began manipulating and transforming cardboard, egg cartons, plastics, cans, Tetra Brik containers, printed circuits, wood, and metals to create works of art, extending their lifespan and making the world more sustainable.

The main foundation of his sculptures is the assembly of metals and woods that have become obsolete over time; woods rescued from nature itself are the source of inspiration for all of his works. The aim of his art is to extend the life of everything that has ceased to be useful. He refers to his entire body of work as Recuperart.

He has held exhibitions in civic centers in Barcelona, Sala Delger in Caldes de Montbui, Espai Ronda Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, as well as in Bordeaux Périgueux. He has participated in exhibitions with the Spanish Film Association from 2017 to 2022. He won the First Prize in the Sota la Mirada de Josep Dt. Subirach contest at Espai NauArt, and took part in the Ments Inquietes collective exhibition at Galeria Ra del Rei (Madrid), Artist360 Fair Madrid, among others.

“I consider myself a versatile artist, and the reason that led me to create art with recycled materials is my concern for the environment and overexploitation. We produce more than we can consume, and everything that is thrown away can be transformed into art.”