Illustrator Marina Barberà, alumna of Elisava’s Master’s Degree in Illustration and Visual Narrative, adds another significant project to her career with the publication of 40 Seconds. The Desire to Die in Capitalist Society, written by Lurdes Quintero and published by Tigre de Paper. Fully illustrated by Barberà, the book offers a critical exploration of how the rhythms, pressures, and emotional demands of contemporary capitalism shape everyday life and mental well-being. With a direct and uncompromising perspective, the work imagines a future in which life stands at the center, where people are respected, cared for, and protected.

With a distinct and recognizable visual language, Marina Barberà creates a graphic universe that dialogues with the text and enhances its meaning. Her illustrations do they expand it, adding layers that connect emotion, politics, and imagination. Her work is defined by the sensitivity with which she approaches complex subjects, balancing poetic visuals, conceptual strength, and a tone that invites slow, thoughtful reading.

The artistic trajectory of Marina Barberà

As a freelance illustrator, she has participated in solo and group exhibitions at the Centro Cultural Ribera de Chapala (Mexico), the CCCC in Valencia, the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and the Museu de Valls. Her work frequently engages with themes such as memory, territory, and social narratives, shaping a distinctive and coherent artistic voice.

She is also the author and illustrator of Made of Glass. Stories and Recipes from the Pyrenean Healers (Sidillà, 2024), a project that recovers traditional knowledge and reframes it through contemporary visual storytelling. With 40 Seconds, Barberà continues to expand her creative universe and reinforces illustration’s ability to spark cultural dialogue, foster critical thought, and generate meaningful social commentary.