On a recent trip to Guadalest, I stumbled upon a lovely surprise: an art exhibition held at the castle, En Valle Mágico (The Magic Valley).
The exhibition featured the works of Esperanza Asensi and Fausto Morillas.
Curious about Esperanza’s journey, I asked, “Could you tell us a bit about how it all began?”
“My painting style is what I call symbolic realism,” she explained. “I try to tell a story through symbols, a feather, a bird, a plant, each with its own meaning. They narrate situations or convey messages of peace and hope.”
Who inspired Esperanza in the early days?
“I’ve loved creating since I was a child,” Esperanza said. “Rather than playing with toys, I’d invent my own characters on paper, cut them out, and build entire worlds inside cardboard boxes. Later, my nanny, who was a painter, introduced me to brushes, colours, and the rather intoxicating smell of turpentine. She taught me to mix colours, care for my materials, and paint with love and devotion. From there, painting became part of my life, eventually leading me to study Fine Arts, teach others, and hold exhibitions worldwide.”
How does a painting come to life?
“I draw a lot from Renaissance art, especially Flemish artists like Hieronymus Bosch and Rogier van der Weyden. I even make round paintings, tondos, as a nod to the idea of artistic rebirth. Usually, I start with something personal or a message I want to share. A blank canvas calls to me, and I simply begin. The idea is clear in my mind, and it flows onto the canvas.”
And when is a piece truly finished?
“I can’t quite explain it, I just know when the story is complete.”
Looking ahead, Esperanza is unapologetically true to her style. “I will continue with symbolic realism, in a sincere and personal way. I don’t chase trends, true art is timeless.”
Esperanza Asensi: Painting peace in The Magic Valley.
Esperanza’s career speaks for itself. Solo exhibitions include the Galería d’Art Tossal at Castell de Guadalest (1984), Galería Juan de Juanes in Alicante (1999), and ARCO’96 in Madrid, among others. Group shows have taken her work to Bilbao, Geneva, Santander, and beyond.
Awards? Plenty! From Honorable Mentions at the Ejército de Pintura Award to First Prize at the Elisa Tomás Yusti Painting Competition. Her work lives on in public collections like the Museo de El Campello and in private homes worldwide.
For those curious to see the magic, take a peek at Esperanza’s Instagram.
Esperanza Asensi: Painting peace in The Magic Valley.
