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Transforming Experience into Sculpture

Transforming Experience into Sculpture

An Interview with Marcos Torandell

Marcos Torandell, a gifted sculptor from Mallorca, has spent his life shaping emotions and personal experiences into stone and wood. His approach to art is both profound and empathetic, drawing the attention of critics and art lovers in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Nairobi. We sat down with him to discuss his creative process, recent projects, and how his life intertwines with his work.

By Mar Piris

18/11/24

Did you study Fine Arts? What drew you to stone as a medium?


I didn’t study Fine Arts, nor did I plan to. But I’ve always been passionate about creativity. Throughout my life as a creative, I’ve gone through several phases. Stone found me when I was 30, after I had already worked with other materials. One day, my wife gave me a stone from Santanyí and asked me to see what I could do with it—that’s how it all began. Santanyí stone is cream-colored, though it varies in hardness. It’s typically used in construction but has a fine, elegant quality that I love to work with.


I was drawn to stone because it’s the most challenging material. I had been a creative for years and had opened three art studios by 2013. When I became an independent sculptor, I realised that what I truly loved was creativity. During the pandemic, we welcomed our son, Marcos, and though I paused exhibitions, I never stopped working in my studio. I consider myself a creative, whether I’m making sculptures, paintings, or other objects.


What inspires you? There seems to be an ancestral theme in your work, with one side of the stone sculpted and the other left natural. Is it intentional to leave part unfinished?


On the contrary, it’s not about leaving something unfinished. Early in my career, I experimented with my technique, and my IO collection was born. It’s a subtle way of saying “I”—IO is about me and my childhood. From ages 3 to 11, I experienced physical and psychological abuse, and I needed to capture those experiences in this collection. That’s why I sculpt half a face—because no one ever reveals their full self, only half of who they are. I’m not hiding the other part; I’m showing the hidden part. These sculptures reflect my experiences—perhaps difficult ones—but IO comes from a place of serenity, free from anger. It’s a healing exercise that captures the sadness of my childhood, the anger of my adolescence, and the calm of my current life.


Do you envision the future as an artist, or should art be seen as the future?


Both ideas are positive. Of course, I envision the future as an artist, but art also belongs in the past, present, and future. Art is a form of communication that not everyone understands, but it allows us to capture experiences and moments, so people can dream and enjoy our work. The essential thing is to “create and endure.”

Tell us about your “Divergent” project in Son Amer, Sa Tramuntana.


“Divergent” started with 10 sketches, and one was chosen—“Pau.” It began as part of an initiative by the Serra de Tramuntana consortium. I had long wanted to contribute something empathetic, and when the opportunity arose, they selected me to bring my vision to life. The project involved using wood discarded after the 2023 Juliette storm. I created Pau, a monumental, interactive sculpture displayed at the Refugi de Son Amer parking lot. The sculpture is made from holm oaks that fell during the storm, featuring a torso of branches and a face carved from durable woods like Iroko and Mongoy. Friends in Mallorca helped me recycle this material. This project also involved two fellow artists, Marta Fresneda from Seville and Gabriel Muñoz from Costa Rica. We met at a sculpture symposium in Portugal in 2015, and we’ve stayed in contact. Pau is a tribute to the victims of traffic accidents on the island, with a special mention of my friend Pau Vidal Serra.


Do you plan to create a piece that captures the Mallorcan landscape?


Yes, I definitely have plans for that. I want to create a direct connection with Mallorca, a sense of empathy with the people here. I always try to work from an empathetic place. Without it, I can’t find the creativity needed to bring a piece to life. It’s something I’m working toward, and I hope to reveal it soon.


What is Deixons?


Deixons is where I explore the more commercial side of design, with stone as the main material. I founded it with designer Jaime Sicre in 2018, and we’ve been creating and selling various products since then. One of our key concepts is stacking stone upon stone, which led to our Santa collection—planters designed to last a lifetime. We also developed the Bocinet, a vase made from Santanyí stone. You can explore our collections on our website, deixons.com. We also design custom pieces for national and international clients.

You can find some of our work displayed at Cocos Garden in Puerto de Andratx.

An Interview with Marcos Torandell

Marcos Torandell, a gifted sculptor from Mallorca, has spent his life shaping emotions and personal experiences into stone and wood. His approach to art is both profound and empathetic, drawing the attention of critics and art lovers in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Nairobi. We sat down with him to discuss his creative process, recent projects, and how his life intertwines with his work.

Tell us about your “Divergent” project in Son Amer, Sa Tramuntana.


“Divergent” started with 10 sketches, and one was chosen—“Pau.” It began as part of an initiative by the Serra de Tramuntana consortium. I had long wanted to contribute something empathetic, and when the opportunity arose, they selected me to bring my vision to life. The project involved using wood discarded after the 2023 Juliette storm. I created Pau, a monumental, interactive sculpture displayed at the Refugi de Son Amer parking lot. The sculpture is made from holm oaks that fell during the storm, featuring a torso of branches and a face carved from durable woods like Iroko and Mongoy. Friends in Mallorca helped me recycle this material. This project also involved two fellow artists, Marta Fresneda from Seville and Gabriel Muñoz from Costa Rica. We met at a sculpture symposium in Portugal in 2015, and we’ve stayed in contact. Pau is a tribute to the victims of traffic accidents on the island, with a special mention of my friend Pau Vidal Serra.


Do you plan to create a piece that captures the Mallorcan landscape?


Yes, I definitely have plans for that. I want to create a direct connection with Mallorca, a sense of empathy with the people here. I always try to work from an empathetic place. Without it, I can’t find the creativity needed to bring a piece to life. It’s something I’m working toward, and I hope to reveal it soon.


What is Deixons?


Deixons is where I explore the more commercial side of design, with stone as the main material. I founded it with designer Jaime Sicre in 2018, and we’ve been creating and selling various products since then. One of our key concepts is stacking stone upon stone, which led to our Santa collection—planters designed to last a lifetime. We also developed the Bocinet, a vase made from Santanyí stone. You can explore our collections on our website, deixons.com. We also design custom pieces for national and international clients.

You can find some of our work displayed at Cocos Garden in Puerto de Andratx.

Is there any artist or person you identify with?


I’ve never really sought to identify with anyone. I believe it’s important to carve my own path. Some of my early work was compared to Alberto Giacometti’s, but I’m not so naïve as to think we are the same. I’m focused on creating my own style, where my empathy and craft merge to create meaningful work.


Sculpture as Emotional Expression


Marcos Torandell’s art is a mirror of his life, experiences, and worldview. Every stone he touches carries a piece of his story. His sculptures don’t just decorate spaces; they communicate emotions, offering healing to both the artist and those who encounter his work.


About the Artist


Born in Mallorca in 1983, Marcos Torandell has exhibited in places like Silves, Madrid, Barcelona, and Nairobi. His work is recognised for its use of materials like stone and wood, capturing deep emotions. He also explores other art forms, such as theatrical set design. Marcos is not just a sculptor—he is a storyteller, crafting empathy and emotion into tangible form.