Albert Bonet painting a canvas at the hotel Estela Barcelona from Sitges
The young artist Albert Bonet (Riba-roja d’Ebre, 1996) has been staying for several weeks at the artistic Hotel Estela Barcelona located in the Port d’Aiguadolç in Sitges. During his stay, the artist from the Tarragona town of Ribarroja de Ebro, has been painting a canvas. The work has remained exhibited at the hotel.
Albert Bonet with his painting in progress at the Hotel del Arte in Sitges
Albert Bonet, despite his youth, is a self-made artist. He knows very well what he has to do to achieve his goals and he is a constant and tenacious worker who does not give up on his efforts. Up to this point, he has been achieving all the goals that he has set for himself over the years. One of his most cherished wishes was to be able to exhibit his works in a museum. And that goal has already been achieved, as one of his creations has been exhibited at the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) in Barcelona in a collective exhibition. In 2025 the artist will exhibit again at the MEAM, but this time in a solo exhibition.
In fact, the young artist has already committed the whole year 2025 to different exhibitions. Quite an achievement in these times within the art world.
During his stay at the Hotel Estela in Sitges, Albert Bonet attracted the attention of the press and gave interviews to various media outlets.
See article from Agencia EFE (in Spanish): Albert Bonet, del arte urbano y los tatuajes a emergente artista con obra en los museos
ALBERT BONET’S “WET DREAM”
“Wet dream” by Albert Bonet painted at the Hotel Estela in Sitges – Oil on canvas – 130 x 162 cm – 2024
The work that Bonet has painted at the Hotel del Arte is entitled “Wet Dream”. It is a large-format canvas (130 x 162 cm) painted in oil.
The artist himself defines his style as Neo-Baroque Realism. And in fact, his works are set in scenes typical of classical baroque painting, both for the use of chiaroscuro and for the search for movement in certain parts of the scene, as well as for the meticulous detail in the folds of the clothing and, in general, in the entire scene. Also, for the complexity and sensuality of the whole composition.
“Breakfast in Barceloneta” – Painting by artist Albert Bonet – Oil on canvas 162 x 130 cm – 2021 – (Photo: Ineditad Gallery)
Another characteristic feature of his works is a subtle but evident social and political criticism that sometimes becomes acidic and corrosive, supported by characters from popular culture such as Disney’s Snow White, Sponge Bob or Doraemon. However, Bonet tells us that he has “killed” those pop icons of his childhood by making them disappear from his works.
Thus, the painting “Wet Dream” shows the latest evolution in his painting, abandoning that language with a certain Pop-art flavour that he had shown until now in many of his creations, to give way to a more elegant, sober and mature work but equally forceful that maintains that critical point. Another constant in his painting, which remains in this case, is the presence of blood painted at some point in the scene.
In “Wet Dream” we can see a young woman dressed in period clothing sitting on a red velvet chaise longue next to several Dalmatian dogs. The girl is apparently calm while at her feet a flood is taking place that has swept away another girl who is drowning. In the swirling water you can see blood floating.
According to Albert Bonet, the work shows the personal situation that he himself is going through. Bonet has to remain calm while around him a whirlwind of events is happening that he will have to face in order to meet all the commitments that are coming his way in 2025.
On the other hand, the very title of the work, “Wet Dream” already makes the presence of water in the scene evident. However, the artist explains that the title is a response to that (wet) dream that he had had for years, wishing intensely that his works could one day be shown in a museum. This dream has come true.
Likewise, another of his dreams could soon become a reality. Baroness Thyssen herself, Ms. Carmen Cervera, has shown interest in his paintings and has the intention to meet Albert Bonet in person and learn a little more about his work. If Bonet’s painting could become part of the private collection of Baroness Thyssen or even of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection itself, would undoubtedly be another dream that would come true.
This is a good opportunity to discover the work of Albert Bonet, an artist with a great future ahead, but who is already a reality.
Joan Carles Vicente
Art Director
Hotel del Arte
