Unveiling the Artistic Soul of Ibiza: A Journey Beyond the Island’s Glamour
The art studio where I found myself is located directly in the middle of nowhere in the field of endless bushes and tumbleweeds. Among those who can appreciate the art there are only hares, island birds, and lizards that have taken over the island and become its symbol.The house stands in the middle of the field close to Sant Josep village, with an art studio built nearby. It serves as a place to celebrate art in its pure form. Here, the focus is not on the result, but on the process, not on objects, but on freedom of creation. Once a week, on Wednesdays, the studio hosts an improvisation day. Essentially, it is a painting studio where anyone can come and start creating art. Later in the evening, musicians join the visual artists, jamming and creating a magic of sounds and art.
The idea of Robert, the founder of this space and painter, is to establish a creative environment free from rules and preconditions, where everyone can feel like an artist or musician and unleash their creative energy. There is a grand piano, various instruments, and other objects for creating sounds, as well as paints and canvases. Professional musicians, amateurs, and children who paint not just on canvas but on themselves all gather here.
I arrived for a week here and was planning to spend it exploring the island, getting to know the art, and discovering if there is more here than just nightclubs, expensive yachts, sports cars, and luxurious parties. It is precisely this image that has kept me from visiting the island for many years.
I always avoided Ibiza because of its fancy brand, which might appeal to many but not to me. As an art curator and a woman in culture, I seek other pleasures: nature, authentic art that is a reflection of this region, and the unique atmosphere of the island.
My cultural exploration of Ibiza continued in its capital, also named Ibiza. I head straight to the Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa to understand if there is a local art school, and how it differs from the big land.
The museum itself is located in the old town. It is a cultural monument and part of the fortress ensemble. The museum is situated in a prominent 17th-century building in Dalt Vila, the historic quarter of Ibiza. The area is quite crowded, so it is a great option to hide from the crowd and cool down, as there are not as many people as in other tourist spots in the city. For the first time, I was genuinely glad that there are not so many connoisseurs of contemporary art.
And of course there are things to look at: in the 1960s, a notable group of artists known today as “Grupo Ibiza 59” emerged on the island.
This group was distinguished by their abstract direction and innovative ideas, focusing on exploring abstract forms and the expressive potential of color and composition. Key figures in this movement included artists such as Antoni Tàpies and Joan Miralles. They were known for their experimental approach and desire to break away from traditional artistic conventions.
Their work gained recognition both locally and internationally, significantly contributing to the island’s cultural landscape and establishing Ibiza as a hub of contemporary art.
The museum’s collections propose even more and it is an exceptional showcase of the artistic creativity that flourished on the island. The museum also houses a significant collection of engravings, boasts a beautiful garden, and hosts numerous temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Although art in Ibiza is not limited to popular places. It is rather often hidden from the casual eye and reveals itself to those who seek to learn more. Here, it often exists at the intersection of art and creativity, meaning it does not always have a fixed form and confirmation in objects but remains fluid, flexible, and experimental.
It is important not to confuse the island landscape paintings sold in tourist shops with the artistic process. For the untrained eye, these things can be hard to distinguish, but that is why I am writing this small guide, so you can find something deeper, more interesting both visually and in meaning behind the facade of uniform paintings from tourist stalls. For me, a place full of meaning became the Estudio Laterna located in the central part of the island in the charming village Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera.
The gallery was recently opened by a couple of architects and serves as a logical continuation of their work with space, reflecting their values and style. The space consists of three zones—studio, gallery and the garden—complementing each other to create the atmosphere of a cozy home filled with art and meaning.
I would not dare to call it a shop where you can buy art, but rather a space that fills in and inspires. Here, you can experience artworks and projects by local artists, attend educational events, and stroll through a garden that, like a living organism, smells and sounds of art—literally. Founders work not only with objects and architecture but also with aromas and sounds, making it a place for meditation or a declaration of love—you choose. Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera has another lovely place to visit—Parra & Romero gallery and since you have made all this trip it is a lovely place for a coffee Santa G. Bagel House. It seems it is about bagels, but honestly it is so much more about coffee, especially for those who hunt for third wave, which is not easy to find in Ibiza.
Espacio Micus once was a art studio of German artist Eduard Micus that moved to Ibiza in seveties. Today it is galery of contemporary art, which is runed by his daughter. Espacio Micus, designed by the artist himself, is integrated into the island countryside. The gallery’s white, rough-hewn walls and large windows provide an ideal backdrop for contemporary artworks, filling the rooms with natural light. Come on Sunday and explore the artist’s personal collection and various temporary exhibitions. Micus’ works are also displayed at the Ibiza Museum of Contemporary Art in Dalt Vila mentioned earlier. A bit northern, after a gallery visit drop by to the The Monk—outstanding coffeshop and coffe roaster that offers an excellent choice of coffees from the best spots of the world.
Another unexpected but significant place for understanding the creative atmosphere of the island is Sant Jordi flea market. Here, this is especially characteristic of the island, as it is a market where mostly hippies of different generations gather. They are both sellers and buyers. Some just come together to meet old friends. Around 10 a.m., this place turns into a masquerade of costumes and styles. Elderly women in cowboy boots sell BDSM accessories, men in floor-length skirts trade old music equipment. You can buy a hippie Barbie, a costume for next Burning Man, a straw basket, and have coffee at a local cafe for 90 cents. It becomes clear why cowboy boots and hats are still in trend—because they are the “folk attire” of the islanders and their declaration of values—this is the island of free people, free in their views, decisions, creativity, and lifestyle.
Overall, I feel that I have only just begun to get acquainted with the iseland and still have a lot to explore to understand its depth. But even this short journey has been an incredible gift and inspiration. Of course, the island needs to be explored from different sides to feel it. Another side is the amazing nature, which I interspersed with my cultural program. But that is a completely different story
Katya Taylor, Founder of NGO Port of Culture.