Yachting USA – September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 YACHTING10 7

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INSIGHTS> ISLANDICON

T

here’s no missingJoan Ag uiló’s

street art on Mallorca. His murals of

everyday life stretch sky ward on more

than 100 buildings across the island.

In his large-scale tableaus, children frolic on the

beach, blow out birthday candles and hold hands

in dance class. Elders exchange gossip and stroll

along the same street in Old Town Palma that

they frequented for years. ¶ A classically trained

painter who fi rst worked at an atelier, Ag uiló was

initially timid about taking his art to the

streets. “I spent three hours agonizing

over whether to put my real name or a

pseudonym on my fi rst work,” he says. “I

was afraid of the police. But in the end, I

put my real name because I thought it

was more honest.” ¶ Honesty was the best

policy; his paintings were widely praised,

and he was soon sought out for commissions by

hotels and other businesses. He often scouts out

locations for his next canvas during strolls around

the capital. “It’s such a beautiful area,” he says.

“And at night, Palma is a magical place. Our old

buildings make you feel like you are on a stage. I like

to t h in k my a r t adds to t he ex per ience of t hat place.”

What drew you to street art? I could work in

the community, outside of the studio, and connect

directly with the people. Who are your mod-

els? I’ve painted a lot of my family: my brother,

mom, cousins. But my paintings refl ect how a lot

of people live on Mallorca. Why is the summer

season—particularly swimming and the beach—a

recurring theme in your works? In Mallorca,

people love the summertime. It’s when they have time

to themselves. The colors I use—blues, greens, light

brown—are the palette we have here in Mallorca.

MALLORCA

BALEARIC

ISLANDS, SPAIN

Joan Aguiló’s A-List for Mallorca

LLUIS PEREZ PASTISSER

pastry chef who has turned traditional

desserts into art. ES CELLER

rellenes (stuff ed eggplant) is one of my

favorite dishes at this celler, which is what a

CA NA TONETA

heart of Mallorca follows the rhythm of the

seasons in its dishes. CA LOS CAMPS

small beach is very quiet and pretty,

with natural shadows and crystal-clear waters.

LARGER THAN LIFE

Artist Joan Aguiló’s soaring murals depict daily living on his native Mallorca in Spain’s Balearic Islands.

by kristin baird rattini