Galería Elvira González is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Spanish photographer Chema Madoz. Carefully selected, this group of works provides a journey throughout Madoz’ unique artistic trajectory. The selection will include new photographs which continue his exploration in the hidden and potential meanings of the object.    Madoz began to develop his concept of the object in the 90’s, a constant subject in his practice to date. Strongly influenced by surrealism, his work carries out a perpetual attempt to investigate the nature of the object and relativize its univocal meaning. Madoz often focuses on simple things which acquire meanings depending on the point of view, information and imagination of the viewer. Images which come to life as the result of a former separation, dissociation, and a latter unification of elements - connected under different categories in their object of origin. His work, thus, enacts a visual paradox that questions the limit between abstract and figurative, real and virtual, actual and potential.    

Chema Madoz (b., Madrid) lives and works in Madrid. He is a recipient of Kodak Prize in 1990 and the Banesto Cultural Foundation’s Artistic Exchange Price in 1993, Spanish National Prize of Photography in 1999.   Madoz has exhibited in various galleries and institutions in Spain and abroad, such as the Royal Photographic Society of Madrid, the Canal de Isabel II, Madrid; the Centre Pompidou, Paris; the Netherland Photomuseum, Rotterdam; Fondazione M. Marangoni, Florence; Museum of Fine Arts, Caracas and Fotofest International in Houston.   His work is included in a many public and private collections such as the Reina Sofia Museum, Andalusian Centre of Photography, Juan March Foundation, Telefónica Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, Buenos Aires Fine Arts Foundation, IVAM, Valencia, Fotocolectania Collection in Barcelona, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Margulis Collection, Miami; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Marugame Hirai Museum of Art, Kagawa-ken, Japan.   Since 1999, (year in which he won the Spanish National Prize of Photography) Madoz has worked collaboratively with brands such as Purificación García, - producing every season images that encapsulate the essence of the fashion collections- or international firms like Hermes. 

Galería Elvira González was founded in February of 1994 by Elvira González, previoulsy owner of Galería Theo for 30 years. The gallery is now run by Elvira and Isabel Mignoni, daughters of the founder, and it's focused in the XXth and XXIst century art. The gallery has special interest in European and American art of the second half of the XXth century and the work of contemporary artists.