I currently live in Poble-Sec, a low-key neighbourhood from Barcelona which has been associated with the world of arts and entertainment, with such emblematic theatres as El Molino and Apolo. Its proximity to El Raval and Montjuïc mountain, where the MNAC, the Joan Miró Foundation and the amazing El Mercat de les Flors — Casa de la Danza are located, among others, make Poble-Sec a special area.

Within contemporary arts, it’s no different. Whenever I leave the house for a walk, I’m extremely likely to pass by the glass door of Homessesion, a visual arts non-profit organisation founded in 2007 that supports emerging and mid-career artists from all over the world with its 2-month international residency programs.

Whether I’m walking up or down the hill, I’ve developed a kind of hobby: paying attention to the next artist in residence and following their creative process and progress. It always begins with an empty white room, just like a blank canvas, and throughout the weeks, you see the creation unfold: papers on the walls, buckets of paint and pencils on the floor, drafts on the table. It is as if artists were inside an aquarium in which they slowly fill in with creativity, eventually giving birth to artworks. And, I confess, there’s a certain appeal to the act of being the “voyeur” and never being seen, but I will leave this amusing topic for another article.

On one of those sunny Barcelonese Sundays, I was just coming back home from a talk with artist Teresa Gancedo at the RocioSantaCruz gallery and I saw an artwork hung on the wall of Homesession that impacted me in such a way that this time, I had to get off my observer hat and speak to the artist and express to them the beauty I saw with my own words.

That’s when I met Daniel McAuley, a New Zealand artist who was then participating in the residency program. His artwork depicted a strong, intense horse with splashes of red and a lot of movement around it. Dynamic and tireless, the horse boldly fought its way through life’s hurdles. The image resonated deeply with me as I always felt spiritually connected with these animals (yes, one of my favourite animation movies is Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron by Dreamworks).

Curious about the inspiration behind the piece, I asked Daniel why he chose the horse. He explained that he was studying the representation of masculinity in the information age, as well as historical iconography that conveyed masculinity. The horse, he said, was one such symbol. Used in wars and depicted in statues of heroes, horses have long been revered across many cultures as symbols of power, strength, destruction and freedom.

I thanked him for the explanation, and we exchanged contact information. After a few weeks, Dan showcased his final solo exhibition “Characteristics of an Unspoken Code of Behaviour”, featuring several artworks he had produced during his residency. Feeling unsatisfied with our brief conversation during the show, I invited him for a more in-depth discussion on his concept and artistic brand the next day, which he kindly accepted. That conversation led to the longer article you’ll find below, where we explored themes of artistic branding, the challenges of social media, and the ongoing process of refining one’s creative voice.

XAV’s Takeaway: The Value of Spontaneous Encounters and Paying Attention to Our Surroundings

This encounter reminded me of the quiet, transformative power of spontaneous connections and the importance of staying curious about what’s happening in our local community. Creativity isn’t always found in grand gestures or major events — sometimes it blooms through small moments, like peeking through a window, noticing an artwork, and striking up a conversation.

Paying attention to our surroundings can open unexpected doors. It can introduce us to new ideas, new collaborators, and new ways of seeing the world. Who knows what possibilities lie just around the corner, waiting for us to notice?

Talking about seeing… Keep an eye out for Daniel McAuley; his artistic exploration is a captivating journey worth following. Find him on social media to witness his artistic evolution firsthand.

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