Canal Gallery in Barcelona
"Yo, Minoría Máxima": Art is Trash Shines at Canal Gallery in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Barcelona, December 17, 2021 — The heart of the Gothic Quarter pulses with artistic rebellion tonight as Francisco de Pájaro, better known as Art is Trash (El Arte Es Basura), unveils his latest solo exhibition titled “Yo, Minoría Máxima” at Canal Gallery. Located on Carrer del Palau, this iconic venue opens its doors at 6:30 p.m. to showcase one of the most provocative and genre-defying artists of the European urban art scene.
Known internationally for his ephemeral street interventions made entirely from discarded materials, Art is Trash is a name synonymous with raw creativity, social protest, and visual satire. His approach challenges the notion of permanence and elegance in art by turning garbage—quite literally—into potent, often comical, and sometimes grotesque expressions of truth.
A Journey Through Urban Rebellion
For over a decade, Digerible.com has documented the evolution of Art is Trash, tracing his spontaneous installations across Barcelona’s most artistic districts—El Raval, Gràcia, Poble Sec, and others. His early street pieces—crude, expressive, and politically charged—emerged not from a studio, but from the sidewalks, alleyways, and bins of the city. They were brief in lifespan, yet long-lasting in impact.
This evolution is no accident. De Pájaro has carefully archived his career, capturing hundreds of public works that have appeared and disappeared in major cities including Barcelona, New York, and London. His monograph—a comprehensive book of his art and philosophy—serves as a visual manifesto of the trash art movement, bridging photography, activism, and autobiographical storytelling.
Art, Protest, and Trash as Medium
More than a street artist, Francisco de Pájaro is a cultural commentator. His visual language is direct, sometimes offensive, always powerful. In describing his own work, he labels it “intentionally ugly”—a calculated strategy to provoke a raw, unfiltered emotional response. Through monsters built of trash bags, broken dolls, or splintered furniture, he confronts political hypocrisy, social alienation, environmental neglect, and consumerism gone mad.
His works often vanish within hours—swept away by municipal garbage trucks or simply dismantled by passersby. But their digital afterlife lives on through social media and online platforms. Art is Trash has a strong presence on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and his official website, where followers witness his art evolve in real time.
In 2021, his art was also featured in the group show “Del Mur al Llenç Volum 4” at the Centre Cívic in Barcelona, highlighting his role as a foundational figure in Spain’s contemporary urban intervention art movement.
Inside “Yo, Minoría Máxima” — From Street to Studio
While Francisco de Pájaro is famous for his street installations, “Yo, Minoría Máxima” offers viewers a rare glimpse into his studio work. Inside the white walls of Canal Gallery, visitors are greeted by canvases and sculptures that retain the anarchic energy of the streets but are now framed in the context of contemporary art. The pieces echo his public work with bold lines, grotesque figures, and direct slogans that point fingers at politics, inequality, and apathy.
This show bridges two worlds: the chaotic public sphere where trash becomes narrative, and the quieter reflection of the gallery, where these stories are given permanence. The title “I, Maximum Minority” speaks volumes—it’s a rallying cry for the marginalized, the misunderstood, the creative misfits. It also mirrors de Pájaro’s own position in the art world: always outside the mainstream, yet impossible to ignore.
A Must-See Event in the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has long been a cradle of creativity, resistance, and underground culture. Hosting Art is Trash’s solo exhibition in this historic location adds layers of meaning to the show. With its crumbling stone facades and narrow labyrinthine alleys, the area offers the perfect contrast to Francisco’s art—modern chaos confronting ancient silence.
Collectors, street art enthusiasts, and curious passersby are encouraged to visit Canal Gallery between December 17, 2021, and January 9, 2022. It’s a chance not only to experience Francisco de Pájaro’s latest works, but also to purchase original art pieces from one of the most influential voices in the international street art movement.
Whether you’ve encountered his ephemeral figures dancing on Barcelona’s bins or you’re discovering him for the first time inside this Gothic gallery, Art is Trash is a voice that can’t be silenced—one sculpture, one protest, one piece of trash at a time.
📍 Exhibition Details:
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Title: Yo, Minoría Máxima (I, Maximum Minority)
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Artist: Art is Trash (Francisco de Pájaro)
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Opening: December 17, 2021 – 6:30 PM
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Dates: Until January 9, 2022
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Location: Canal Gallery, Carrer del Palau 4, Barcelona
Photographs by Gerson Ruiz for Digerible – Urban Art Archive
