Flood-inspired art exhibition opens in Petrer with paintings created using DANA mud

A powerful new exhibition in Petrer is transforming one of the Valencia region’s most devastating natural disasters into a message of resilience, remembrance and hope. Using mud collected from the catastrophic DANA floods, Valencian artist Xavier Ferragut has created a striking collection that invites visitors to reflect on loss, recovery and the enduring relationship between people and nature.

Flood-inspired exhibition comes to Petrer Cultural Centre

An exhibition inspired by the devastating DANA floods that hit the Valencia region has opened in Petrer, with the artist using mud collected from the disaster to create a unique series of paintings.

Vida, Mort i VIDA by Valencian artist Xavier Ferragut is on display at the Vicente Poveda Exhibition Hall in Petrer Cultural Centre until 19 July.

Ferragut, who is from Algemesí, created the collection following the floods of October 2024, which caused widespread destruction across several towns. Through a series of large-scale works, he reflects on the emotions experienced in the aftermath, including loss, uncertainty, solidarity and hope.

What makes the exhibition especially unusual is the use of mud recovered from the floodwaters. Mixed with pigments and other materials, the mud becomes part of each painting, transforming a symbol of destruction into a lasting reminder of resilience and recovery.

Art shaped by resilience and recovery

The exhibition also explores the relationship between people and the natural world.

By incorporating materials gathered directly from the affected areas, Ferragut creates works that not only document a tragic event but also preserve a physical connection to it, encouraging visitors to reflect on the impact of extreme weather and the strength shown by communities during the recovery process.

Visiting the exhibition

Before arriving in Petrer, the collection was exhibited at the Rector Peset Hall in Valencia, the Sea Museum in Santa Pola and the Contemporary Art Centre in Algemesí.

The exhibition can be visited Thursday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Admission is free.

For more information about the artist, visit xaviferragut.com or call (+34) 656 977 318.

Running until 19 July, the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to experience a thought-provoking collection that turns the physical remains of a natural disaster into a powerful expression of memory, resilience and hope.