In every art exhibition there are works that strike me and most of the time I don't really know why. It could be the colours, the way they are made, the technique or simply there is something in them that I can't consciously detect that catches my attention.
The Thyssen Museum in Malaga is one of what I consider to be the best in the city, it always brings exhibitions that stand out from other museums and that are always worth visiting and appreciating, it never disappoints, because although it may happen that the exhibition does not suit our personal tastes, it is true that it will certainly leave a message. The fact that it is not to our personal taste does not mean that it is a bad exhibition. Recognising that value is very important.
Some time ago I went to a spectacular exhibition, I didn't really know what it was about because I have always liked classical art, or at least I learnt a lot about it when I was studying, and when I entered the rooms with the red walls I was shocked. Perhaps they are not works that I would paint myself, it is not my style of painting, but I recognise that they are very good works and that they attract attention.
Out of the huge amount of artworks there were some that for some reason or another my eyes were more focused on. As I looked at them I said to myself, these works stand out, or at least for me they do. Of course if you have a favourite you can tell me about it.
‘El homúnculo’ Manolo Millares, 1959 - Mixed media on sackcloth
This work is interesting because of the materials used and the impact of the black colour on the canvas. It is a courtesy of the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao and in turn a donation from a private individual.
‘Arrangez vous’, Esteban Francés, 1939, oil on canvas, belongs to the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid.
This is a work that I loved, it reminds me for some reason of Dalí's paintings, although there is no variety of colours. You can tell me what you see in this painting if you wish.
‘Benimámet’, Alberto Sánchez, 1937, also in the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid.
A work that also shows similar tones to the previous one, tones related to the earth and the return to the origins, the theme of the whole art exhibition.
‘Girls’, Ángel Ferrant, 1950, polychrome cork and wire on board, from a private collection.
Of course, what is most striking in this work are the materials, the technique that generates that relief in the work as if it were coming out of the frame and coming to life.
‘Macra ardoise (Macra pizzarra)’, Aurélia Muñoz, 1972, Dyed sisal rope and slate sheets, Iberdrola collection.
A beautiful textile work which made it unique among the other works in the room, and very much part of the whole.
‘Painting number 100’, César Manrique, 1962, oil and volcanic earth on canvas, Fundación Juan March collection, Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, Cuenca.
The use of volcanic earth within the work makes it special and follows in a very original way the theme of the whole art exhibition, returning to those primitive motifs of the earth.
‘Untitled/Woman of the Locust’, Alberto Sánchez, 190-1962, Wood, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum.
Of the sculptures on display here, this is one of the ones that struck me the most.
‘Amarillentos, con zona negra’, Gustabo Torner, 197, oil on canvas, Museo de reina Sofía, Madrid.
I find the variety of works spectacular and the fact that this exhibition has been achieved thanks to the collaboration of several museums in the country, as well as loans from private collections.
‘Untitled’, Carlos Pérez Siquier, 1965, Photography, inkjet on paper. Mapfre Foundation Collection.
‘Jara’, Soledad Sevilla, 1997-1998, oil on canvas, diptych. Circa XX Collection. IAACC Pablo Serrano. Diputación General de Aragón.
‘Pictografía’, Manolo Millares, 1954, Gouache on paper, Helga de Alvear Museum collection, Cáceres.
A work that I liked very much for its colouring and primitive drawings, the shapes and the contrasts of black and white on red.
‘Untitled’, Jaume Sans, 1955, Acrylic on paper, courtesy of Galería Marc Doménech.
It reminds me a lot of Miró's works and you?
‘Characters, birds’, Joan Miró, 1976, oil on sandpaper, wood and nails, Fundació Miró de mallorca.
The previous work was like a premonition of this one, Miró had to be in this great art exhibition.
‘Untitled’, Modest CuiXart, 1947, oil on canvas board, Contemporary Art Collection, Fundación La Caixa.
‘King with a bird’, Antoni Clavé, 1957, oil and collage on panel, Villa Casas Foundation.
‘Metamorfosis’, Manuel Rivera, 1961, metal canvas and wire on aluminium frame, Navarro Valero collection. Courtesy of Galería Leandro Navarro, Madrid.
A truly striking work, especially for its design and elaboration in 3D. Beyond what one can see, the execution is spectacular.
It has really been a privilege for me to attend this exhibition called ‘Teluricos y primitivos’ and to appreciate works of art that take us to another era, to the reinvention of art, to the return to the origins, to admire styles, shapes, colours and particular strokes.
Of course, as always, the museum offers a number of products to buy in its shop.
Thank you very much for joining me today, I wish you a good Sunday. See you soon. Amonet.
All photographs are my own.





