“Beyond Silence (Julia),” 2026
Wood and steel
85 3/8 x 339 1/4 x 41 1/4 inches
217 x 862 x 105 cm
Artist Jaume Plensa has opened two exhibitions within a week of each other in cities across the United States. Both shows are at GRAY galleries, one in Chicago and the other in New York. Respectively titled Beyond Silence and Remote, Serene, Ethereal, each comprises different works, but both represent the figure while examining scale and material.
Beyond Silence at GRAY Chicago is the bigger of the two exhibitions. It features massive carved-wood reliefs, vertical sculptures in cast iron and granite, and bronze works on a more intimate scale. The centerpieces of Beyond Silence are two monumental wood-and-steel sculptures aptly titled Beyond Silence (Julia) and Beyond Silence (Maria). Each measures 28 feet long and features a carved contemplative face that reveals itself within the vertical slats of wood. At such a scale, the pieces blur the line between sculpture and the built environment, spanning the gallery like an architectural feature.
While not as tall—but equally monumental—is a three-sculpture series titled Clouds. Each piece measures 7 feet tall and highlights both the exploration of scale and material that’s so often integral to Plensa’s work. The pieces in Clouds feature elongated cast iron busts set on smooth granite. They juxtapose texture and appearance. The iron has an industrial feel with rough spots and a striated surface. Against the smooth granite, however, it looks imperfectly perfect at home.
The final component in Beyond Silence is the Twilight series. It features bronze sculptures that are about 20 inches tall. While other elements of the show are larger-than-life, Twilight offers intimacy by letting viewers easily come face to face with the works.
Remote, Serene, Ethereal at GRAY New York features fewer works overall, but has a site-specific element that differs from its Chicago counterpart. Showcasing a trio of similarly stretched portraits in painted bronze, the gallery echoes them with a wall drawing Plensa created on site.
Jaume Plensa: Beyond Silence, at GRAY Chicago, and Jaume Plensa: Remote, Serene, Ethereal, at GRAY New York, are both on view through December 19, 2026.
Artist Jaume Plensa has opened two exhibitions within a week of each other in cities across the United States. Both shows are at GRAY galleries, one in Chicago and the other in New York.
“Beyond Silence (Maria),” 2026
Wood and steel
85 3/8 x 339 1/4 x 41 1/4 inches
217 x 862 x 105 cm
Beyond Silence at GRAY Chicago is the bigger of the two exhibitions.
“Clouds (Irmaleni)” 2026
Cast iron and granite stone
85 3/4 x 68 1/2 x 110 1/8 inches
218 x 174 x 280 cm
It features massive carved-wood reliefs, vertical sculptures in cast iron and granite, and bronze works on a more intimate scale.
“Clouds (Maria),” 2026
Cast iron and granite stone
85 3/8 x 62 7/8 x 109 3/8 inches
217 160 x 278 cm
“Clouds (Flora),” 2026
Cast iron and granite stone
85 3/8 × 61 3/4 × 108 1/4 inches
217 × 157 × 275 cm
“Silent Maria,” 2025
Painted bronze
71 5/8 × 27 1/8 × 35 3/8 inches
182 × 69 × 90 cm
Edition of 5
“Twilight I,” 2025
Bronze
20 3/8 × 11 × 9 3/8 inches
52 × 28 × 24 cm
Edition of 7
“Twilight II,” 2025
Bronze
22 3/4 × 7 3/8 × 7 3/8 inches
58 × 19 × 19 cm
Edition of 7
“Twilight III,” 2025
Bronze
20 3/4 × 8 5/8 × 8 1/4 inches
53× 22 × 21 cm
Edition of 7
“Twilight IV,” 2025
Bronze
24 3/8 × 9 3/8 × 13 3/8 inches
62 × 24 × 34 cm
Edition of 7
“Twilight V,” 2025
Bronze
19 1/4 × 10 5/8 × 11 inches
49 × 27 × 28 cm
Edition of 7
“Twilight VI,” 2025
Bronze
20 3/8 × 9 × 12 1/8 inches
52 × 23 × 31 cm
Edition of 7
Remote, Serene, Ethereal at GRAY New York features fewer works overall, but has a site-specific element that differs from its Chicago counterpart.
“Ethereal (Marina),” 2026
Painted bronze
87 3/4 × 24 3/8 × 28 5/8 inches
223 × 62 × 73 cm
Edition of 5
Showcasing a trio of similarly stretched portraits in painted bronze, the gallery echoes them with a wall drawing Plensa created on site.
“Serene (Ita),” 2026
Painted bronze
87 3/4 × 24 3⁄8 × 27 1/8 inches
223 × 62 × 69 cm
Edition of 5
