The Museum of Pontevedra opens its doors to "Xaime Quessada's universe" until January 10th
The Museum of Pontevedra has opened today the last of the great temporary exhibitions of this year, Xaime Quessada's Universe, which can be visited from today until January 10th, 2021. Besides the exhibition, there will be different actions aimed at showing the significance of the artist, including guided tours, workshops and talks and debates in upcoming months.
The director of the Museum of Pontevedra, Xosé Manuel Rey, highlighted the months of intense work, in spite of the problems caused by the current health crisis, which have made it possible to open the exhibition today. He thanked all support provided by Quessada's life-long partner, María Jesús Blanco, and also showed his gratitude to the Xaime Quesada Blanco Foundation and to all the institutions that have collaborated by donating works.
He made a special mention to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía; the Museum of Fine Arts of A Coruña; the Municipal Museum of Ourense; the Municipal Museum Quiñones de León, in Vigo; the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art, in Santiago de Compostela; the Abanca Collection, in A Coruña; the Afundación Collection, in Vigo; the Parliament of Galicia; and the University of Santiago de Compostela. He also expressed his gratitude to Pilar Corredoira, curator of the exhibition, "for sharing with us her experience and know-how".
Rey stressed that Xaime Quessada's Universe is a retrospective of the artist from Ourense, and a tribute to his career, "with an attractive and suggestive journey through the intense creative artist's activity developed during five decades of prolific work". He emphasized that "it is difficult to understand the art of the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century in Galicia without considering Quessada's work", since his artistic production "touches" the different art movements.
The Director pointed out that, once the exhibition closes, the exhibition catalogue will remain a tangible asset. "It has a neat and elegant design; it shows the effort to renew the brand image and corporate identity in which we are currently immersed".
The curator Pilar Corredoira pointed out that the exhibition includes the most significant pieces of Quessada's career, "which are proof of his aesthetic, ideological and human interests". She also emphasised the author's struggle against Franco's dictatorship. He was even tried by the Tribunal de Orden Público (Public Order Court) for insulting the dictator, according to the book Galicia en transición (Galicia in Transition). He was also a member of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) and the Galician People's Union (UPG).
She added that Quessada was very fond of his homeland, Galicia, and that Galicia played an important role in his later conception of life, as well as in the sensitivity he showed when he dealt with and internalised major international conflicts. At the same time, he showed a great creative talent that immersed him in all art movements of his time.
Today's press conference was also attended by the Vice President of the Xaime Quesada Blanco Foundation, José Gómez Alén, who thanked the Museum of Pontevedra and its Director for their work and interest. He expressed his desire that the exhibition that opens today "could meet the expectations of the public".
Finally, Quessada's sister-in-law, Josefa Blanco, apologised for the absence of the artist's widow, M.ª Jesús Blanco, due to health problems. But, on her behalf, she expressed her gratitude for the “enthusiasm” shown to make this exhibition possible.
