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Seven Cities Host a Unique Art Exhibition to Celebrate Ten Years of Afundación’s Cultural Legacy
On October 9th, the cities of Vigo, Pontevedra, Ourense, Santiago, A Coruña, Ferrol, and Lugo will simultaneously unveil exhibitions featuring 350 works from the Afundación art collection. These exhibitions, marking the 10th anniversary of the foundation, will showcase a diverse range of pieces by over 200 artists either from Galicia or connected to the region, spanning the last two centuries.
This unprecedented event will exhibit selected works from the Abanca Social Work Collection, which includes 5,000 pieces and offers a comprehensive view of Galician art from the late 19th century to the present day. The collection, which has been declared a cultural asset of public interest, also features notable contributions from Spanish and Portuguese artists.
Miguel Ángel Escotet, president of Afundación, and Paloma Vela, curator of the project and deputy coordinator of Afundación’s Cultural Area, officially announced this new initiative yesterday at the foundation’s headquarters in A Coruña.
“This is a groundbreaking exhibition, a milestone for us,” emphasized Escotet, adding, “Unlike other occasions where exhibits travel to different cities, this time it’s the people who will move across the region to experience our art and heritage.”
Vela further explained that the artworks were not assigned to specific cities based on geographical considerations but through a “listening process” that focused on the content of the collection. The aim was to represent local artists as much as possible in each venue. She also noted that “Simultaneous” is the result of two years of collaboration, not just with Afundación’s internal team, but with 20 companies that helped restore some of the pieces for the exhibition.
In addition, a book has been published alongside the exhibition to provide a broader perspective on Galician art from the late 19th century to the present day.
Each of the seven exhibitions will offer a unique interpretation of the Abanca Social Work Art Collection, allowing the public to engage with creations spanning three centuries. These range from the earliest work, an 1827 painting by Villaamil, to the most recent, which include a photograph by Xurxo Gómez Chao, an installation by Pilar Alonso, and a sculpture by Din Matamoro, all from 2011.
Vigo: “Flying with Imagination”
The Vigo exhibition will feature the works of 56 different artists, including prominent names such as Eugenio Granell, Pamen Pereira, Manuel Vilariño, and Carlos Alcolea. The exhibit will also highlight artists closely tied to the city, like Menchu Lamas, Jorge Barbi, Antón Pulido, and Din Matamoro.
According to Afundación, the Vigo exhibition “explores the concept of fantasy as a fundamental element of artistic creation.” Galician identity has long been intertwined with fantasy and the surreal, as myths, legends, and stories have shaped the collective imagination. This deep connection between the imagined and the real is reflected in the artwork on display, offering a journey through some of the finest examples of Galician art that transcends reality.
