The Carmen Thyssen Museum in Málaga has launched the exhibition ‘Liberated Painting: Young Spanish Figuration of the 80s’, which will be accessible to the public until September 14. This exhibition presents over thirty works by more than twenty artists, epitomizing a vibrant mosaic of figurative painting that emerged during the 1980s—a period symbolizing modernity following Spain’s transition to democracy.

During the opening press conference, Málaga’s Mayor, Francisco de la Torre, and other prominent cultural figures highlighted the significance of this creative epoch. Curated by the museum’s conservation area, ‘Liberated Painting’ reassesses a crucial chapter in the narrative of contemporary Spanish art, emphasizing figuration as an expression of modernity and avant-garde.

The exhibition includes works by renowned artists such as Luis Gordillo, Eduardo Arroyo, and Miquel Barceló, who expressed their enthusiasm and optimism in a renewed context of freedoms following the fall of the Franco regime. Additional Andalusian artists contribute to the movement’s diversity, reflecting the atmosphere of the ‘Movida’ Madrileña. Notable pieces such as Characters Leaving a Rock Concert by Pérez Villalta and Map of Flesh by Barceló exemplify the innovative and expressive character of this era.

The Fundación Unicaja, a sponsor of the display, reaffirms its commitment to culture in Málaga, continuing a collaboration that has facilitated various exhibitions over the years. Lourdes Moreno, the museum’s artistic director, underscored the importance of this creative moment for understanding the evolution of contemporary art in Spain. This exhibition serves as a celebration of expressive freedom and innovation in painting, uniting artists from diverse backgrounds in a collective narrative of modernity.