The Elba Benítez Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of new works by Miroslaw Balka, titled “The Forgotten,” which will run until May 8, 2026. The show primarily features sculptures and drawings that explore themes of memory and oblivion from personal, social, and archetypal perspectives, utilizing diverse and evocative approaches.
Consistent with his broader body of work, Balka’s compositions are created from pre-existing objects and historical references, highlighting the layers of meaning they have accumulated—or, often, lost—through their use or abandonment over time. A notable piece is a collaborative sculptural installation for which the public, referred to by Balka as “witnesses” rather than spectators, contributed doormats from their homes. The result is a collective work situated in a transitional space between arrival and departure.
This Polish artist, who divides his time between his native country and Spain, imbues physical objects and the spaces they inhabit with layers of metaphor and memory, aiming to express how history and the past inevitably shape the present. While primarily a sculptor, Balka also incorporates formats such as video, drawing, and installation into his practice, employing diverse materials, many of which are symbolic of his Polish heritage. Much of his legacy is scaled according to the human body’s measurements and proportions, allowing the artist to articulate theatrical installations designed to activate both the temporal and physical presence of his works, inviting an immersive experience.
