Barcelona 1926, Mataró 2000. Josep Maria Rovira-Brull trained at the School of Arts and Crafts and the Higher School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. In 1947 he participated in his first group exhibition at Els Lluïsos de Gràcia , and a year later he won the silver medal at the Gràcia Artists exhibition.
In 1950 he designed the sets for the staging of Josep M. de Sagarra's "Poema de Nadal" and established himself as an illustrator of books and posters. From 1952 onwards he worked in the field of advertising.
In 1955, Rovira-Brull founded the Sílex Group with Eduard Alcoy , Hernández Pijuán , Carles Planell , and Terri. He created advertising posters related to the textile industry, most notably the allegorical murals he painted in 1958 for the Tintex SA factory in Mataró. First in Premià de Mar and then in Mataró, he actively participated in the cultural life of both cities while also exhibiting throughout Europe and South America.
Rovira-Brull's paintings are full of irony and satire, denouncing the world around him, especially the Civil War-era Spain he lived through until after the Transition. From this period emerged the bustle of militia trucks, the vandalism, the brutality of the soldiers, and the voluminous cassocks present in his works. His commitment to
Rovira-Brull's work manifests itself in neo-symbolist paintings, collages, prints, and sculptures that combine the fighting spirit of the postwar generation with poetic expression. Laden with details, symbols, numbers, and hidden messages, Rovira-Brull's improbable, highly surreal works, brimming with inexhaustible ideas, demand discernment and an open mind.
Commissioned by the Mataró City Council, Rovira-Brull created the sculpture "Laia l'arquera"
which constitutes one of the emblematic symbols of the city.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1973. Gaudí Room - Gaudifond Art. Barcelona
1975. Gaudí Room - Gaudifond Art. Barcelona
1976. Lucas Gallery. Gandía
Tertre Gallery. Mataró
Attic Gallery. Buenos Aires, Argentina
University Gallery, Montevideo, Uruguay
1978. Exhibition Hall of the Laietana Savings Bank. Mataró
1979. Gaudí Room - Gaudifond Art. Barcelona
Gallery glimpse. Lleida
1981. New Hall of the Mataró Development Center. Mataró
Covarsi Art Gallery. Arenys de Mar
1982. Gaudí Room - Gaudifond Art. Barcelona
1983. Auditorium of the Laietana Savings Bank. Vilassar de Mar
The Axemandor. Argentona
1991. Room Thirteen. Banyoles
1994. Association of Friends of Music of Argentona
1996. Can Palauet exhibition halls. Mataró
2015. Sant Andreu de Llavaneres Archive Museum
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1954. Maillol Circle, French Institute. Barcelona
VII October Salon. Barcelona
1955. III Hispano-American Biennial. Barcelona
8th October Salon. Barcelona
1956. Dome of the Coliseum (FAD). Municipal Museum of Mataró
II Salon Magazine
1958. Promotion of Decorative Arts. Barcelona
1968. “Militiamen and Battles” Mataró Municipal Museum
1969. “Plastic equation with 4 unknowns”
Mataró Municipal Museum
1970. Mataró Municipal Museum
1971. Shoendorn and Marx Foundation. New York, USA.
1973. Giacomo Fiorini. Turin, Italy
1974. Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Brussels, Belgium
“Spanish Kunst Heute”. Haus der Kunst. Munich, Germany
"Art Espagnol d'Aujourd'Hui. Brussels, Belgium
“Exhibition 74” Gaudí Hall - Gaudifond Arte. Barcelona
The Laietana Savings Bank of Mataró
1975. “Exhibition 75” Gaudí Hall - Gaudifond Arte. Barcelona, Spain
“Plantastischer Realismus in Spain” Palais Palffy. Vienna, Austria
1976. I Art Fair. Contemporary painting. Palace of the Lonja. Saragossa
“Phantastischer Realismus in Spanien” Hannover, Germany
Basel International Art Fair, Switzerland
Art Expo. Barcelona
1977. “Phantastischer Realismus in Spanien” Hellerup, Germany
“24 Contemporary Artists” Hospital of San Juan de Dios. Barcelona
“24 Contemporary Artists” Alcance Gallery. Mataró
Basel International Art Fair, Switzerland
“100 Years of Nudes in Art” Gaudí Hall - Gaudifond Art.. Barcelona
“Graphic Works Portfolio” San Alberto Cooperative. Bologna, Italy
1978. Basel International Art Fair, Switzerland
“The Loyalty of a People” Homage to Abbot Escarré. Palau de la
Virreina, Barcelona and Museum of Granollers, Valls, Girona, Terrassa and
Sabadell
1979. Basel International Art Fair, Switzerland
Rafael Monasterios Gallery. Maracay, Venezuela
Tribute to the work of Josep Pla. Traveling exhibition
“Homage to the Mataró-Argentona Tramway” Alcance Gallery. Mataró
Tertre Gallery. Mataró
1980. Amnesty International Traveling Exhibition
“Spanish realism” AT International Gallery. Ibiza
Basel International Art Fair, Switzerland. 1st Salon Extends. Sant Elm Gallery. Blanes
Tribute to Joan Oliver “Pere Quart” Caja de Barcelona
“Gastronomy. A Pictorial Theme” Husillo Hall. Mataró
1981. “Gastronomy. A Pictorial Theme” Miracle, San Sebastian de Cabrera
“6 Mataronins Artists” Sala Fuest. Mataró
Saint Luke. Mataró
1983. Saint Luke. Mataró
“At the Same Latitude” Exhibition Hall of the Laietana Savings Bank. Mataró
1984. “The vineyard and wine as seen by 17 artists from Maresme” La Aixernador. Argentona
“An Approach to the Cathars” University of Texas. Austin, USA.
1985. Exhibition Hall of the Caja Laietana. Mataró
“Wardrobe Games” New Room of the Mataró Development Center. Mataró
“An Approach to the Cathars” Douglas College. New Jersey, USA.
1986. “Easter Eggs” Wardrobe Games Group. Mataroní Development. Mataró
Exhibition hall of the Laietana Savings Bank. Mataró
Farrés I Puig Municipal Room. Vilassar de Mar
1987. Farrés I Puig Municipal Hall, Monjo Museum. Vilassar de Mar
IV Manresa City Painting Biennial. Manresa
1988. Minerva Gallery. Mataró
New Hall of the Mataró Development Center. Mataró
“Mataró Art. 1888-1988” Dürnau, Germany
1989. Minerva Gallery. Mataró
1990. Farrés I Puig Room, Monjo Museum, Vilassar de Mar
Tuset Room. Barcelona
Tertre Gallery. Mataró
1991. “27 jugs Artists” La Aixernador. Argentina
AB Art Gallery. Granollers
Tharrats Foundation for Graphic Arts. Pineda de Mar
“Artists with initiative” Ernest Monter Art Space. Mataró
“Gráfico Arte 92” International Exhibition of Original Contemporary Graphic Art. Royal Shipyards. Barcelona
2016. Llavaneres Museum. Barcelona. Spain
