Funds – Ateneo Collection – 60th Anniversary.

The exhibitions organised by the El Ateneo gallery in Málaga are always surprising; each one is different from the next and gives numerous artists the chance to make a name for themselves. Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and much more are given ample space here, and I like to visit regularly to see what’s new.

As I always say, I don’t usually check art galleries’ websites to see what new exhibitions they have; I only look occasionally to find out the exhibition dates, as I don’t live near them and have to travel quite a distance, so it’s good to know that before paying a visit.

On this occasion, there were three new exhibitions at the El Ateneo gallery, all three with the same start and end dates, which gave me the chance to see three distinct and innovative exhibitions all at once.

Today I’m bringing you the first of these, which, incidentally, is very special, as it has been organised to mark the 60th anniversary of El Ateneo. For this reason, the Visual Arts Department has selected all these works that I’m showing you today, by various artists, which form part of El Ateneo’s heritage.

Mirror, 1989, Chema Lumbreras, acrylic on iron plate.

The Turkey, 1982, Chema Lumbreras, acrylic on paper.

Mussels II, 2002, Natalia Schiff, print, mixed media.

Guernica, 2000, Rafael Alvarado Bravo, acrylic on panel.

Where Does It Hurt?, 2006, Pablo Alonso Herraiz, oil and enamel on canvas.

The artists belong to different generations, use different techniques, and these works are not usually on public display. This is also what makes this exhibition so important and special. They form part of the gallery’s collection, where these works are kept like precious jewels.

The artists taking part in the exhibition are: Elena Asins, Pablo Alonso Herraiz, Chema Lumbreras, Natalia Schiff, Rafael Alvarado Bravo, Erique Brinkmann, Noelia García Bandera, Damaso Ruano, Curra Rueda, Pilar López, Jorge Lindell and Virginia Rota.

Untitled, Erique Brinkmann, Indian ink on paper.

Backlight, 1999, Noelia García Bandera, photograph.

Untitled, 1970, Elena Asins, ink on card.

Untitled, 2004, Damaso Ruano, mixed media.

Untitled, 1970, Curra Rueda, ink on card.

As I mentioned, the techniques used are extremely varied, and the works also span different periods. From oil, acrylic, ink and Indian ink, enamel and engravings on the one hand, and media such as wood, canvas, panel, paper, iron plates, card and plastic on the other. But there are also photographs. This makes the exhibition a truly enriching and beautiful experience, allowing you to explore and view each individual work.

In my case, I have two favourites: the one by Damaso Ruano, which is untitled, and the one by Pilar López, which is also untitled. I like the first one because of the way it’s carved from wood and the shading, and there’s a photograph on one side showing the location where the work is displayed, it looks lovely. I like the second one because it’s an abstract piece with spectacular colours.

Untitled, 1989, Pilar López, oil on panel.

1685 – 1750, 2000, Jorge Lindell, acrylic.

La pena negra, 2019, Virginia Rota, photograph.

Fruto prohibido (Munny), 2007, Enrique Brinkmann, plastic and painted wood.

Untitled, 2007, Chema Lumbreras, mixed media.

Some works, such as those in ink and Indian ink, brought back many memories of my student days, as that was precisely one of the techniques we used, always on paper, but often mixed with other types of paint such as acrylics and applied using very original techniques.

Here’s a technique that was widely used at the time and which comes to mind right now. You would paint card with various acrylics or tempera paints, creating stripes of different colours. Once this had dried, black Indian ink was applied on top and then, using a nib, drawings were made over it; this left the background black, and the drawing, by scraping away the ink, revealed the colours underneath.

Art exhibitions not only teach me new techniques, but they also remind me of those I’ve already learnt and take me on a journey through time, it’s brilliant.

Thank you very much for joining me today; I hope you have a lovely Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.

All photographs are my own.