The 'End of the Show': Elisa Capdevila's Striking New Mural Breathes Life into the Heart of Barcelona

an article by Fer Alcalá & Laura Colomé
photo curtesy Fer Alcalá

In a striking tribute to the former Teatro Talia, a historic icon for the Sant Antoni neighborhood, Barcelona's bustling Paral·lel has welcomed a new large-scale mural. This artwork by renowned Barcelona-based muralist Elisa Capdevila has revived the memory of the theater, which for decades held a special place in the city’s cultural heart. Curated and produced by Street Art Barcelona, the mural faced delays due to recent severe weather in the region.

A community project honoring Sant Antoni’s past and future
The mural, painted on a prominent wall close to where the theater once stood, was realized through the collective efforts of neighborhood organizations, united under the ‘Sant Antoni Recuperem el Talia’ Platform. This initiative honors the cultural significance of the Talia while symbolizing the community’s enduring fight to preserve its memory and reinforce its role within the neighborhood.
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According to the artist, ‘The mural captures the end of a performance when the curtain falls, and an actress removes her makeup backstage,’ an evocative scene that resonates deeply with the Talia’s story and its ultimate closure. Capdevila adds, ‘It’s a joy and a privilege to bring this mural to life in my hometown, especially in such a meaningful location.’ The mural also takes a feminist perspective, celebrating the role of women in both the theatrical scene and the community’s advocacy efforts. This theme was chosen collaboratively with the participating neighborhood groups and was shaped through community workshops that informed the mural’s narrative.

Street Art Barcelona and community solidarity bring the Talia back to life
The project was curated and produced by Street Art Barcelona, with support from the Eixample District, Montó Pinturas, and Uping. Antoine Careil, director of Street Art Barcelona, remarks, ‘The Talia mural is significant to Barcelona on multiple levels. For the local community, it’s a powerful symbol that revives the theater’s history and the rich cultural heritage of the Paral·lel from a feminist perspective. For the city at large, it exemplifies how urban art can transform neglected areas into symbolic spaces for the community, showing the potential for public art to revitalize our shared spaces.’

Over a dozen local organizations contributed to this community-focused initiative. Marc Folch, spokesperson for the ‘Sant Antoni Recuperem el Talia’ Platform, shares, ‘The Pro Talia Olympia Association has been advocating for over a decade to create a new theater on this historic site on Paral·lel. The city council expropriated the land at the end of 2021, and plans are underway to develop affordable housing and a cultural facility here. In the meantime, with support from the Platform, a temporary gathering space has been established where children often play, and occasional small-scale cultural events are held.’ Folch adds, ‘We hope this mural serves as a vibrant reminder of the old Paral·lel, once teeming with theaters, popular entertainment, and grassroots activism—a counterpoint to today’s high-culture spaces.’

Elisa Capdevila: A celebrated figure in international contemporary muralism
Born in Barcelona in 1994, Elisa Capdevila is one of contemporary art’s rising stars, known for blending urban art with profound explorations of the human experience. Trained at the Barcelona Academy of Art, Capdevila discovered her passion for muralism early in her studies, drawn to its powerful capacity for public storytelling. Her works, bridging tradition with modern expression, capture the essence of daily life and human emotion in ways that have resonated with audiences around the world. Today, Capdevila stands as a central figure in contemporary art, bringing her unique voice to walls and canvases both locally and internationally.

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This mural update of Elisa Capdevila takes part of the ARTICULATE PROMOTE Programme in collaboration with Street Art Barcelona