Las Palmas 'Favorite Son' Artist Luis Alemán Montull Dies at 91

Luis Alemán Montull, a renowned artist and "Favorite Son" of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, died on Tuesday at 91. His family shared the news on Facebook.

Montull created many pieces, including the "Monument to the Primitive Activities of the Canarian People." This monument features four sculptures, almost 14 meters tall, standing proudly in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's Plaza de España. They symbolize craftsmanship, farming, fishing, and motherhood. The City Council of the Gran Canarian capital commissioned this work between 1975 and 1977 to mark the city's 500th anniversary. Another of his sculptures, "El cambullonero," can be found in the Castillo de la Luz park, also in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's mayor, Carolina Darias, conveyed the City Council's "deepest sorrow" over Montull's passing. She praised his significant contributions to the city's and island's art and culture, noting his creative legacy, which is deeply connected to the capital's identity and shared history.

According to a biography from the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Montull showed artistic talent early on. His first significant piece was a two-and-a-half-meter-tall Christ figure carved from mulberry wood, which he created at just 13 years old. From 1948 to 1954, he studied sculpture and drawing at the Escuela Luján Pérez. During this time, he met artist Abraham Cárdenes (1907-1971), who became a close friend and greatly influenced his artistic path.

In 1954, Montull went to Barcelona to further his studies, attending the Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Jorge as an independent student. Five years later, he moved to Paris, staying for seven years. There, he worked with sculptor Cazabaun, who directed the Association of Artists of France. His first exhibition was at the Salon Puteaux in 1960. After this, he was often invited to join group exhibitions in Paris with other Spanish artists, and he also collaborated with important sculptors and art groups.

When he returned to Spain, Montull lived in Barcelona until 1970. He then moved back to his birthplace, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he settled permanently. There, he became very active professionally, participating in many solo and group exhibitions. The CAAM notes that he also received commissions for public sculptures, which were installed across the Canary Islands.