Riera i Aragó has been exploring the interplay between the seabed and the sky, water and air, since the beginning of his artistic journey. His work centers around submarines, zeppelins, and other fantastical machines—objects imbued with a sense of magic and symbolism that reflect the totems of the 20th century: technology and its ceaseless urgency. In contrast to the frenetic pace of the modern age, Riera i Aragó freezes time through his sculptures, using materials like bronze and rusted iron to create forms that seem to float in an ethereal, unidentifiable medium.

The expressive qualities of his sculptures—weightlessness, floating masses—and his innovative approach to what can be termed an “archeology of machinism” have made his work essential for understanding a generation of artists from the 1980s. This group revived the language of painting and sculpture in novel ways, bringing both intellectual and aesthetic depth. Nature plays a crucial role in Riera i Aragó’s oeuvre, appearing either as a backdrop for his evocative sculptures or as a source of inspiration for his ecological themes. His pieces, such as islands and the series Protected Species, are deeply connected to the environment, often utilizing reclaimed materials.

As Daniel Giralt Miracle noted:

“If in other times artists took landscapes, mythological narratives, or the human figure as themes of inspiration, Riera i Aragó chose one of the most characteristic emblems of his time: the world of machines and artifacts. However, his approach is not literal or mimetic; instead, he uses irony to explore the transience and suggestive power of machines. Through a journey between real and imaginary spaces, these references ultimately serve as an immense excuse to create art.”

Riera i Aragó’s work is featured in significant collections and museums worldwide, including:

• Musée de Céret, France

• Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona, Spain

• Musée d’Art Moderne de Luxembourg, Luxembourg

• Centro Cultural Arte Contemporáneo, Mexico City, Mexico

• Vincent van Gogh Foundation, Arles, France

• Städtische Museen, Heilbronn, Germany

• Museum Otani, Nishinomiya, Japan

• MACBA, Barcelona, Spain

• The Boeing Company, Chicago, USA

• Collectie NOG Van Het SNS Reaal Fonds, The Netherlands

• Museum of Contemporary Art Union Fenosa, La Coruña, Spain

In recent years, his work has been celebrated through extensive retrospectives in France, including exhibitions at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Céret, the Musée de Collioure, and the Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa) in Le Havre. Additionally, his large-scale sculptures have been displayed in the Tournay-Solvay Park in Brussels as part of an exhibition organized by the Folon Foundation.

Riera i Aragó lives and works in Barcelona, where his exploration of nature, technology, and the dialogue between the real and the imaginary continues to inspire and captivate audiences globally.

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