10 Questions with Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres
Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres is a self-taught artist from Barcelona, Spain, known for his vibrant and expressive mixed-technique abstract paintings. Born in 1998, he has been painting since 2020. His art is characterized by the use of bright colors and dynamic brushstrokes, often combining abstract forms to convey deep emotions and personal experiences.
Joan's work reflects a fusion of intuition and technique, often beginning with an emotional spark or thought and evolving through multiple layers. His inspirations include everyday life, emotions, and the interconnectedness of existence, alongside influences from artists like Cy Twombly.
Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres explores the intersection of emotion, memory, and the subconscious through the use of color, form, and texture. Fascinated by the way non-representational art allows viewers to project their own emotions and stories onto the work, he approaches painting with an intuitive and experimental process. Through layered compositions and dynamic brushstrokes, Joan seeks to evoke movement and transformation, capturing the fluid and ever-changing nature of personal experience and perception. Each piece becomes an invitation for reflection and emotional resonance.
A2, Mixed technique on paper, 59.4x42 cm, 2023 © Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres
INTERVIEW
First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?
My name is Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres, and I’m a self-taught emerging abstract painter from Barcelona, Spain. I started experimenting with images at a young age. Drawing was my passion as a child, but it wasn’t until my teenage years that I began painting. Attending a painting workshop sparked my love for creating art—it was not only enjoyable and fulfilling but also therapeutic, allowing me to express my emotions and ideas on canvas. Encouraged by fellow painters who showed interest in my work, I sold my first pieces and decided to pursue art full-time, moving into my ownstudio. Painting fulfills my deep need to create and has become my way of communicating with the world.
What first inspired you to start painting in 2020? And what does this medium represent for you?
In 2020, I began painting as a way to reconnect with myself during a challenging time when I felt lost and without purpose. Reflecting on my identity and passions led me back to art, a natural direction given my lifelong connection to creativity. Initially, I painted figuratively, but two years later, I transitioned to abstract expressionism, drawn to its purity and freedom. Painting feels like returning to the uninhibited joy of childhood. For me, it’s a form of communication and self-expression. I’ve always struggled to articulate my emotions, and art serves as my voice, allowing me to share my inner world with others.
B2, Mixed technique on paper, 59.4x42 cm, 2023 © Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres
Speaking of your work, how would you describe your artistic style to someone new to your work?
I’d describe my artistic style as child-like, raw, and pure—a window to my soul. Each piece contains a fragment of my essence. Some critics have claimed that a child could replicate my work, but I see this as a compliment. It means I’ve succeeded in transcending traditional boundaries and accessing the unfiltered honesty of childhood creativity. I strive to create with pure, uninhibited emotion, much like a child, free from societal constraints. This spontaneity and authenticity are at the heart of powerful abstract art.
What is your creative process like? Where do you start when creating a new piece, and how do you get to the final result?
My creative process is akin to meditation. When I paint, I enter a trance-like state, allowing emotions and ideas to guide my movements. I often start impulsively, sparked by color, texture, or movement, and let the canvas dictate the direction. I work quickly at first, channeling raw energy, then step back to reflect and refine. Each painting is a process of layering, rediscovery, and balance until it feels complete. It’s a journey that often surprises me, and I aim to create works that invite viewers to interpret and connect with them in their own way.
Can you share what role emotions play in your creative process?
Emotions are central to my creative process. When I face the canvas, my feelings dictate the movements, colors, and textures I use. Whether it’s joy, tension, or introspection, each emotion informs the layers of my work. Creating abstract art feels like translating emotions into a visual language, a conversation between my inner world and the canvas. This process is cathartic and allows me to express what words often cannot. I hope the emotional energy I pour into my work resonates with viewers, encouraging their own reflections and interpretations.
J2, Mixed technique on paper, 59.4x42 cm, 2023 © Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres
T1, Mixed technique on paper, 59.4x42 cm, 2023 © Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres
Looking at your technique, how do you choose the colors and textures for your paintings?
Color and texture choices are instinctive and emotionally driven. I select colors based on the mood I wish to convey—vibrant tones for joy and intensity, muted shades for introspection and calm. Texture adds depth and movement, achievedthrough layering, brushwork, or unconventional tools. The contrast between smooth and rough surfaces mirrors the dynamic emotions I explore. Each layer informs the next, creating a dialogue that evolves with the painting.
You have cited artists like Cy Twombly as major influences for your work. How did these artists inspire or help you develop your style?
Artists like Cy Twombly have shown me the power of gesture and emotion in abstraction. Twombly’s raw, spontaneous mark-making taught me that imperfection can hold beauty and meaning. His use of negative space and layered textures inspired me to embrace restraint and vulnerability, letting the canvas speak as much as the paint. His work pushes me to trust my instincts and convey memory, emotion, and narrative without being literal.
Ultimately, what messages would you like to communicate with your art? What do you hope people feel when they look at your paintings?
Rather than conveying a specific message, I aim to create a space for viewers to feel, reflect, and connect on their terms. I hope my work evokes curiosity, movement, or even nostalgia. Whether it sparks joy, calm, or introspection, I want the abstract forms and colors to resonate emotionally, allowing each person to find their own story within the piece.
W1, Mixed technique on paper, 59.4x42 cm, 2024 © Joan Pañell Fernández de Liencres
Is there anything else you would like to experiment with, both in terms of techniques or themes?
I’m curious to delve deeper into the interplay between chaos and order, exploring their coexistence in nature and emotion. I’d also like to experiment with light and transparency, layering materials to create compositions that reveal and conceal. These ideas excite me, and I look forward to pushing the boundaries of my practice.
And lastly, what are you working on right now, and what can we expect to see next from you?
Currently, I’m focused on expanding my body of work, exploring new ideas, and refining my techniques. I’m also reaching out to galleries and art platforms to gain visibility as my career begins to grow. Painting is my passion, and I feel my journey as an artist has only just begun. You can expect to see many heartfelt pieces as I continue to evolve.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
