From Open Call to Art Curation - The Process
After reviewing over 900 submissions from around the globe alongside Natalia Xamena from Hotel BonSol, we selected the works from 10 both emerging and established artists for our first-ever original art curation. These pieces, inspired by the beauty of Mallorca and the essence of hotel life, are the result of a thoughtful process we’ll take you through: from open call to art curation.
Bonsol by Alex Barros, and Still Life by Berta Pfirsich.
The Brief & Selection Process
"When I wrote the brief for the artist call, I already had many visuals come to mind for what I would create or focus on, if I would join as an artist. But the most fun was seeing what you would create - the surprise ahead, the angles I would have never imagined, the details I would have overlooked. The 10 artists who's works are part of the final collection did that. And the 2 residency winners will do that during their residency in Mallorca. They will surprise us beyond what we can yet imagine.
The selection process was both challenging and inspiring. With over 900 submissions, we dedicated hours to carefully evaluating each one. Our goal was to find work that not only stood strong as individual pieces of art but that would transport you to Mallorca, to Hotel BonSol, or to the essence of hotel life itself - allowing you to experience the island or hotel, even if you’ve never visited."
— Milou Neelen, Hôtel Magique
"Art is not supposed to be nice, it’s supposed to make you feel something."
“Art, to me, is a gift that artists have the power to offer to the world - a gift that allows us to see the world through eyes shaped by a rare sensitivity. It’s a way of connecting, of being inspired by how others interpret beauty, emotion, and the world around us. I deeply resonate with the quote: ‘Art is not supposed to be nice, it’s supposed to make you feel something.’ That, to me, is its essence - not mere ornament, but a means for transformation.”
'She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice — it was supposed to make you feel something.' From Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell.
“What I’ve loved most about the process has been rekindling the legacy of love for art that my grandparents once nurtured, and gently weaving it back into the soul of Hotel BonSol. It has been profoundly fulfilling to act as a catalyst - supporting the path of emerging artists in whom we deeply believe. I truly cherish the idea of creating a space where art will be born, inspired by the Mediterranean, by Mallorca, and by BonSol’s unique spirit."
— Natalia Xamena, Hotel BonSol
The Residency Winners
“From a very early stage of the process, Nicole and Bradley were my personal favourites - there was something in both of their proposals that felt deeply aligned with the spirit of BonSol, Mallorca, and the Mediterranean. Of course, the final decision was in the hands of our team of judges, and we had ten remarkable candidates to consider. But incredibly, Milou and I - who had both felt a special connection to their work - saw our hopes echoed in the final outcome." — Natalia Xamena.
Residency Winner Nicole Nelius
"Nicole’s still lifes carry a luminous Mediterranean femininity - with shells, fruit, flowers, and a soft yet vivid palette that evokes both classical tradition and fresh beauty."
— Natalia Xamena, Hotel BonSol
"Nicole’s work I’ve admired for a while, so I was beyond excited she joined the artist call. She has a way of turning everyday objects into something timeless and chic - and paints them beautifully. Her submission made me curious about what she might notice and focus on during a residency, and how she would turn that into something magique."
— Milou Neelen, Hôtel Magique
Painting Piel de Sapo by Nicole Nelius
Residency Winner Bradley Wood
"Bradley’s work struck me for its vibrant colour, intensity, and contemporary energy, all while preserving a retro, timeless quality that resonated with BonSol’s atmosphere. It felt like a natural fit."
— Natalia Xamena, Hotel BonSol
"Through his work, I could instantly imagine Bradley visiting Mallorca and Hotel BonSol, portraying guests, the owners, the staff - and turning those scenes into paintings I’d want to live with, even if I’d never met the people in them. His work makes me curious."
— Milou Neelen, Hôtel Magique
April Traveler by Bradley Wood
