Art exhibition aims to show both sides of Catalan conflict

The fight for Catalan independence is a social issue known for high tensions and polarizing opinions - and an exhibition at the Filippo ioco Studio and Gallery is addressing this in the form of art.

'Catalonia, the two faces (A Photographic Journey)' is on display at the Poblenou based gallery established in 2017. Described as, 'A neutral documentary style Photography Exhibition', The show features a collective of seven journalists and photographers who have documented both sides of the conflict over the years, as well as a video installation with anonymous subjects being interviewed on their views of the disputes.

The showcase features the work of Fernando Capdepón Arroyo, Gemma Gómez Forgas, Justin P Brown, Maurice Moeliker, Michael Riley, Sandra Lazaro, Vitor Schietti.

The images featured cover a wide variety of important political protests and rallies — some pro-independence, some unionist, and some documenting the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling and the October 1 2017 referendum.

"I want people to come out of the exhibition with a different vision of the demonstrations," said Filippo ioco, a Sicilian bodypainting artist and the owner of the gallery. By presenting this situation in a neutral and artistic way, ioco hopes that the viewer gets a fuller scope of the complicated history at play. The work will be on display until February 16, with full information on the gallery's website.