About

Hauser & Wirth Menorca is a center combining art, education and conservation on the beautiful natural setting of Illa del Rei, an island in Mahon harbour. The art center presents an exhibition programme spanning ambitious new commissions by gallery artists across all media. Following a conservation project, Hauser & Wirth sensitively repurposed the existing 18th century outbuildings of a naval hospital to create the 1,500 sq.m. art center, which opened in 2021 and welcomed over 58,000 visits during the first season.

Hauser & Wirth Menorca comprises an exhibition space with eight galleries and an outdoor sculpture trail featuring works by Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Joan Miró and Franz West. With education and sustainability at its core, we run a robust learning programme to engage both the local community and visitors with contemporary art through screenings, talks, and workshops. Our Education Lab in Menorca was inaugurated by Mark Bradford, who led a residency with students from the local arts high school Escola d’Art de Menorca. In 2022, we have launched a residency initiative for two post-graduate students to create an engagement programme in relation to the Rashid Johnson exhibition ‘Sodade’ in the same space.

A garden designed by Piet Oudolf runs alongside the gallery buildings incorporating native perennials and planting suited to the Mediterranean climate. On-site restaurant Cantina serves seasonal and local produce with a focus on seafood and sharing. The gallery shop is found in the same building, presenting art publications and crafts by local makers.

Working closely with the Fundació Hospital de l’Illa del Rei, a non-profit organisation, established in 2005 to protect and promote the island, and the Town Hall of Mahon, Hauser & Wirth’s restoration of the historic buildings has been led by Paris-based, Argentinean architect Luis Laplace and recognized by Architectural Digest as a ‘2022 Work of Wonder’ and Wallpaper* as ‘2022 Best Art Destination’. Our joint work with the Fundació has also been recognized by the Balearic Island’s government with an award for the Best Social Responsibility Initiative. In the interest of protecting the unique natural environment of its location, Hauser & Wirth Menorca is partnering with the Menorca Preservation Fund. Environmental sustainability measures of the art centre include rain-water collection protocols, creation of a water plant to reuse water for ground irrigation, and energy efficient climate control for the buildings.

Illa del Rei is a fifteen-minute ride from Mahon port by shuttle boat. Entrance to Hauser & Wirth’s art centres is free to the public, with all admission donations distributed between local charitable partners.