The 80s

As the name indicates, The 80s presents a selection of paintings and sculptures from the 1980s. Due to the rise of photography as a predominant means of expression at the end of the 20th century, and a critique that proposed conceptual art as the clear successor to minimalism, painting as a medium was considered by some to be obsolete by the 1980s. We believe, however, that it is important to remember that some of the most renowned contemporary painters reached their maturity during that decade, acting in clear contradiction to the critics of the time. 

Anselm Kiefer in Germany, Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon in the UK are but three of the most important artists of that period, and are undoubtedly essential to this exhibition. In Spain, Miquel Barceló, José María Sicilia, Juan Muños and Manolo Valdés represent the most influential figures of the 80s. 

Despite being two artists who made a name for themselves in the 1960s, we decided to include Eduardo Chillida and Antoni Tápies due to the influence they continued to maintain during the 80s and beyond. Additionally, Jean Michel-Basquiat and Sean Scully are two 80s artists opposite in their artistic principles, but united by their mastery of painting. Finally, hyper-realist artist Richard Estes is another example of an artist working since the 60s, but who reached new heights as an artist in the 80s.