Leaving behind a successful career in international trade in 2009, he devoted himself fully to art, developing a practice that moves between sculpture, painting, photography, design, jewelry, and large-scale cultural initiatives.

His works, exhibited across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, combine geometric clarity with philosophical inquiry and social critique. Over the past decade, he has also engaged deeply with social practice, from art-based prison reintegration programs in Spain to international museum collaborations and public sculpture projects that anchor his ideas in urban space.

Fine Art Shippers caught up with him to discuss “Perfect Time,” an ambitious new project developed with the Deep Time Art Gallery in Foshan and the Chinese artist Fang Zi, conceived as a long-term collaboration between the two creators and between Spain and China.

How did you meet Fang Zi? What motivated you both to collaborate? Was it a shared vision?

Carlos García Lahoz: I have a friend in Zaragoza who teaches Spanish to Chinese students and spends half the year in Foshan. Over coffee, the idea came up to contact the Deep Time Art Gallery there. I presented them with a collaborative project — public sculpture, exhibitions — following an approach similar to one I had previously used in Ukraine: producing the work locally in China to avoid shipping, customs, and so on. They liked my artwork, my colors, my concepts, my international recognition, my vision of society through art, and above all, how I could carry out the project.

So we organized everything, I created my piece in China, and we opened the first exhibition in November 2024. It was a bold undertaking based on my experience, which led to a collaborative agreement between China and Spain, with the feeling that even though our cultures are very different, we could balance and enrich each other’s work.

How did your collaborative creative work unfold? What kind of process was that?

We haven’t actually worked together, we’ve simply been talking casually and realized that although our techniques and disciplines differ, our understanding of art is the same. We believe we must express our concerns, values, and critical views of society through art in a way that is accessible and understandable — because if you're not understood, you can hardly change anything.

“Perfect Time” is a reflection on contemporary society — so what is your perception of it? How does it feel to you? What are the privileges and sore points of living in the 21st century?

My view of society is very critical, perhaps influenced by Francisco de Goya, who was also born in Zaragoza, where I’m from. I believe our society is going through a continuous loss of values. It is constantly immersed in toxic environments where personal interest matters more than the common good. Hypocrisy, lies, and manipulation are part of everyday life, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to trust anyone or anything.

Sometimes society is overprotective of young people, which may make them more vulnerable in the future, and at the same time, we stop caring about those who are truly suffering. So much technology, and so little human connection.

How do you imagine “Perfect Time” evolving as it continues to travel across China over the next three years?

It’s always necessary to have a plan, a strategy. That’s essential for any project in life if you want to have a real chance of success. Of course, we have a plan. We want to grow as artists, to share our work, to reach people with our message, and to be recognized for what we do. Personally, I would like to see many more public sculptures installed in China, just as in the rest of the world.

I have already installed sculptures in public streets and squares in Spain, Ukraine, Georgia, and China, and very soon in Armenia. I’m not setting any limits. I want my work to carry my name in countries all over the world, so that my messages remain forever and for everyone.  Our collaboration goes beyond three years and one country. We intend to continue working together for much longer, and anywhere. It’s not just professional, there is a friendship behind it that ensures a long future together.

As you work in China, in a different cultural environment, what new dimension is this bringing to your artistic practice and your vision of art?

In my work, the creative and artistic aspect is paramount, but there’s also a crucial technical side. I’m an artist and a blacksmith. I construct my pieces just like any blacksmith would. I don’t have a workshop in China, so we had to find a blacksmith there to work with. Fortunately, there are excellent blacksmiths in both Spain and China, and I must say that although it was challenging at first, the blacksmith I’m working with has already understood how to build my sculptures, and it’s a pleasure to collaborate with him.

In January, one of your sculptures, “Maternal Instinct,” was installed in a public square in the Chinese city of Foshan. How was it received by the local audience?

When a sculptor unveils a public work, it’s always a very special day. People can feel it, and the inauguration often becomes an emotional moment for them. “Maternal Instinct” is a sculpture where people can dedicate a stone to their mother and leave it forever on the pedestal. They participate, they are moved, and they become part of the project forever. This may be new for many people, but for me, it’s important that they take part and never forget the experience. We are all part of it. It was a very special day for everyone, and they kept thanking me for such a moving and heartfelt event.

You have committed to bringing your works to Spain, and you are organizing several exhibitions so that this ambitious initiative can also be experienced there. Could you tell me more about these plans? What conceptual and curatorial ideas will they be centered on?

I am the organizer and curator of the exhibitions we are planning to hold in Spain. I have extensive experience organizing my own exhibitions and working as a curator. I have carried out numerous exhibitions and projects in Spain, so I know many top-tier museums and exhibition spaces where we can present our project. I take care of everything: transportation, installation, posters, and the overall organization of the exhibitions. Zaragoza, Castellón, and Madrid will see our work this year. As I said, we don’t set limits. Our proposal brings together painting and sculpture. Spain and China are committed to working tirelessly so that many people can experience and enjoy our project, “Perfect Time.”

Interview by Inna Logunova
Photo courtesy of Carlos García Lahoz