Yvan Mas was born in Paris in 1971 into a household where art was not only present but foundational. His Spanish father was a stage designer, and his French mother a portraitist, creating an environment where visual creativity and craftsmanship were part of daily life. Growing up in this cross-cultural artistic atmosphere, Mas absorbed both the theatrical sense of structure from his father’s stage design and the intimate sensitivity of human expression from his mother’s portraits. These early influences remain embedded in his practice, where rigor and emotion continuously meet.
An International Artistic Journey
Mas’s career has unfolded across borders and continents. He has exhibited in Paris, Switzerland, New York, Tokyo, and Fukuoka, with the latter exhibition sponsored by the Ramon Llull Institute. His connection with Japan has been especially meaningful, with works included in projects by the renowned Takenaka Architects. His frequent travels to the country have deepened his understanding of balance, minimalism, and the delicate interplay of light and surface qualities that surface in his own artistic language.
Over the years, Mas has been recognized by a series of prestigious awards. He has been a finalist for the Honda, BMW, and Torres Garcia Awards, each a testament to the originality and refinement of his artistic vision. More recently, his selection for the Antoni Vila Casas Prize reinforced his standing as a leading figure within contemporary abstraction.
Lyrical Abstraction with Structure
Yvan Mas’s art can be described as lyrical abstraction with a geometric sensibility. His paintings are defined by textured surfaces and bold use of color, often framed or divided by linear structures that give depth and stability. This approach allows him to move fluidly between freedom and control: the lyrical expanses evoke emotion and spontaneity, while the structural divisions bring balance and order.
This interplay reflects Mas’s own words: “I like formality, rationality, structure, but at the same time I long for an expressiveness that expresses my most immediate feelings. Hence, the dichotomy that prevails in my work, a balance between light and form.” His paintings hold this tension as their central force, allowing viewers to experience both serenity and intensity in a single work.
The Metallic Dimension
An important evolution in Mas’s artistic process has been the incorporation of metallic elements. Initially, a natural extension of his structured compositions, these metallic inclusions became essential components of his visual language. They do not merely frame or divide surfaces; instead, they introduce reflections, luminosity, and a sense of shifting perception. Depending on the viewer’s position and the surrounding light, the work changes, becoming a living, dynamic experience.
This technique also opened the door for Mas to transition into three-dimensional work. By expanding from painting to sculpture, he began to explore space, form, and material in new ways, while maintaining the lyrical abstraction that defines his artistic identity.
Monumental Sculpture: GAIA and Beyond
Mas’s venture into sculpture has led to large-scale projects that integrate seamlessly with public space. On July 2, 2024, his monumental sculpture GAIA was installed in Sant Jordi Desvalls, marking a milestone in his career. The piece embodies his fascination with balance, light, and materiality, but magnified into a scale that interacts with landscape and architecture.
His next major project is planned for Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, pending final permits. These monumental works signal a new chapter for Mas one where his dialogue between surface, structure, and light expands into environments, inviting not just contemplation but also physical experience.
A Dialogue of Contrasts
At the heart of Yvan Mas’s work lies a dialogue of contrasts. His paintings and sculptures oscillate between the precision of geometry and the freedom of lyrical abstraction, between solidity and reflection, between formality and pure emotion. This duality reflects his lifelong search for balance, not only in art but also in life.
The use of metallic surfaces, reflective planes, and structured boundaries allows him to push beyond traditional painting, blurring the line between painting and object, surface and space. His works are at once intimate and monumental, deeply personal yet open to universal interpretation.
Legacy and Continuing Vision
With a career that has already spanned multiple decades and continents, Yvan Mas continues to expand his practice with the same curiosity and rigor that defined his beginnings. His international recognition, prestigious awards, and ambitious public sculptures mark him as an artist of both intellectual depth and emotional resonance.
Mas’s vision remains rooted in the idea of balance: between light and form, order and lyricism, reflection and substance. Whether through textured canvases or monumental sculptures, his work invites viewers into spaces where emotion and reason converge, creating a contemplative encounter that lingers long after the first impression.
