Watercolour and pencil on paper

14.6 x 19.2 cm. 5 3/4 × 7 1/2 in.

Dated and signed in Spanish on the reverse
PROVENANCE
Nanzuka Gallery, Tokyo
Whitestone Gallery, Tokyo
6 Oct 2019, Poly Hong Kong Autumn Auction, Lot 103
29 Oct 2021, China Guardian Autumn Auction, Lot 1774
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

Set Sail to the World!
Calleja's World of Boys

“Every character is a little bit of a self-portrait. So it's me in each one a little bit.”
——Javier Calleja

The Spanish contemporary artist Javier Calleja has made a name for himself in recent years with his self-portrait “big eyes boy”, a combination of images and words. He began his creative career in 2000. Calleja worked at the Yoshitomo Nara exhibition held at the Contemporary Art Centre in Malaga, which deeply attracted him. His style of combining text and image that he later developed can be seen as influenced by Yoshitomo Nara. In addition, heavily influenced by Japanese anime since childhood, Javier Calleja incorporated the “big-eyed” element into his works. His adorable paintings are sweeping the art world, and since 2019, his auction records have continued to soar, resonating with collectors of all generations.

The big-eyed boys in Calleja's artwork can be seen as a reflection of himself. With the simplest visual language: a pair of eyes, a slogan T-shirt narrating a story, he allows the picture to naturally communicate with the viewers and embodies his desire to use art to convey important messages. This time, Gunter Boy is presented with unparalleled details, showing the young boy's worries and expectations for the future.

The boy in the painting wearing a round collar shirt has childish round cheeks, with a pair of round golden eyes like marbles disproportionately enlarged, drawing all the attention. A black kitten Gunter is printed on the boy's shirt, which has been an inspiration for many of Calleja's works, demonstrating the iconic nature of this character in his career. The image printed on the character's costume gives a subcultural feature, which is the humour that makes his work unforgettable.

Gunter Boy is a rare double-sided painting by Calleja. On the back of the painting, the artist has created a simplified version of the boy in marker. The boy has recognizable curly hair and round eyes, the lines of which are relaxed and casual. The boy's large eyes, together with his friendly yet embarrassed expression, depict a fledgling who is ready for the world.

Price estimate:
HKD 150,000 - 250,000
USD 19,200 – 32,100