228 - JOAN CORNELLÀ (Barcelona, 1981)

JOAN CORNELLÀ (Barcelona, 1981) “Humans are a virus.” Silkscreen print on paper. Edition 62/150. Signed and numbered in pencil. Measurements: 53 x 61 cm. The work *Humans Are a Virus* is one of the most recognizable images in Joan Cornellà’s creative universe, in which the artist displays his characteristic visual language, based on dark humor, irony, and social criticism. The title, “Humans Are a Virus,” introduces an ironic reflection on the relationship between human beings and their environment and their impact on the planet. The character’s apparent innocence contrasts with the forcefulness of the message, creating that contradiction between image and meaning that constitutes one of the artist’s primary expressive devices. Joan Cornellà Vázquez is an illustrator, cartoonist, and contemporary artist. His work is characterized by a seemingly simple visual language, vivid colors, and characters with impassive expressions who find themselves in situations filled with absurd humor, satire, and dark humor. His work has transcended the realm of illustration and comics to carve out a space of its own within contemporary visual culture and the art market. Cornellà began to gain recognition through his publications and comic books, collaborating with media outlets such as El Jueves, Le Monde, The New York Times, and El Periódico. His visual universe has since expanded into painting, sculpture, limited editions, and art objects, achieving widespread international recognition, particularly through social media.