Esther Boix Exhibition Opens in La Laguna, Showcasing Catalan Artist's Socially Conscious Work

A new exhibition called "Esther Boix" is opening this Friday at the Cristino de Vera Foundation-CajaCanarias Cultural Space in La Laguna (San Agustín, 18). It features around twenty works by the Catalan artist, created between the late 1950s and 1994.

You can see the exhibition until February 28. It's open Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Entry is free.

The opening event was attended by Margarita Ramos, president of the Cristino de Vera Foundation-CajaCanarias Cultural Space, Joel Creus, the artist's grandson, and Bernat Puigdollers, the exhibition's curator.

Margarita Ramos described Esther Boix (1927-2014) as a unique and important figure in contemporary Spanish art. She said the exhibition is a chance to appreciate Boix's work and discover it for the first time in the Canary Islands.

Ramos explained that Boix's childhood was affected by polio, which gave her a special sensitivity and perspective. She also helped found the Estampa Popular Catalana group, which aimed to make art accessible and use it to address social and political issues. During a time of censorship, Boix used her art to speak out against the injustices of the dictatorship, especially those faced by women.

The exhibition includes around twenty of Boix's works from the late 1950s to 1994.

Ramos also mentioned that Boix and her partner, the poet Ricard Creus, founded the L'Arc school in 1967. The school offered an innovative approach to art education, teaching students that art is not just about technique, but also a way to explore, express themselves, and grow.

Curator Bernat Puigdollers emphasized the importance of Boix's work. He noted that she started with a style of painting that was unusual for women at the time. Her early works depicted humble scenes of post-war Spain, focusing on the human element and giving a voice to the marginalized.

Puigdollers highlighted Boix's ability to anticipate important issues like feminism, sexual freedom, and environmental awareness, addressing them in her art before they became widely discussed. He called her a "prophetic painter."

Puigdollers also mentioned that this exhibition is important for introducing Esther Boix to a wider audience beyond Catalonia. Her work is now being recognized, as evidenced by recent acquisitions by the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Reina Sofía Museum.

Finally, Joel Creus spoke about the freedom he experienced growing up and the influence of his grandparents. He shared childhood stories and said the most important lesson they taught him was to "express what you think and listen respectfully to the opinions of others."