Palmyra Sculpture Centre

THE FOUNDATION

Palmyra Sculpture Centre was founded by Ien van Wierst as a platform through which artists from around the world could connect, interact and enhance their creativity, deep in nature, on the island of Mallorca.

The Balearic island, with its international community and rugged landscape, is a canvas upon which the creativity found at Palmyra is based. With a strong focus on accessibility within art, Palmyra hosts numerous workshops per month, creative stays, and an artist-in-residence program.

Taking its name from the ancient city of Palmyra, the Sculpture Centre takes its epithet as a symbol of strength, fired by female energy. The Syrian city of the same name dates back to 2000 BCE and, following a turbulent history of invasion and expansion, had become a formidable empire under the rule of queen Zenobia in the third century CE. This strong, highly cultivated historical figure, renowned for her power, beauty and wisdom, has been celebrated over the centuries in literature, operas and plays. In light of the history of Majorca, itself with elements from the near east, and the female energy powering the creation of the centre, we feel Palmyra as a name expresses and encapsulates the core energy of this project.