Miguel Calatayud, Paul Auladell, and Juan Carlos Nadal are highlighted in a gathering of photographs and collaborative pieces by Alicante-based artists. The catalog includes works by DimasIA, a duo formed by Diana Lozano and Alvaro Jaen, who contribute a cloud-inspired pool image, as well as Elena Aguilera’s nocturnal landscapes, and the illuminated threadwork by Garcia Torres inspired by Ariadne. Additional portraits and studies, including a suggestion for an equestrian portrait by Jesus Herrera and a bold physical presence from M Shovel Wild titled Just like full, like big me, round out the show. Nuria Fuster’s Mirrors have memory and Silvia Semper Ripoll’s Sordium Continuum, with a touch of barbarian tastes, complete the lineup.
These eleven proposals—part of a broader exhibition from the Generalitat Valenciana—represent a slice of the contemporary art scene within the province of Alicante. The exhibition opened this Friday at the Las Cigarreras cultural center, which houses a larger collection of 37 works acquired in 2020 from artists within the Valencian autonomous community for the Generalitat Collection.
The event stands out as the most substantial acquisition to date. It occurred in a challenging year, 2020, marked by a global pandemic. In response, the Generalitat chose to double its purchasing budget, reaching a total of five hundred thousand euros, a point underscored by José Luis Perez Pont, who oversees the Valencia Community Museums Consortium, along with the Cultural Council Member in the promotion of the exhibition, Anthony Manresa. Participating creators like Silvia Sempere and Iluminada García, both from Alicante, are acknowledged, and Manresa highlighted the high quality of the works on display. He described the exhibition as remarkable and invited the public to experience it, noting that it brings contemporary art closer to the community and occasionally reveals artists who may be less familiar to the public lens.
The Generalitat’s Contemporary Art Collection, launched in 2017, continues to grow by assembling representative works from the Valencian art scene. It features balanced representation across Castellón, Alicante, and Valencia, with no strict generation guidelines or thematic restrictions. The collection embraces diverse formats, including painting, sculpture, watercolor, drawing, photography, video, and installations, underscoring the diversity of records in contemporary creation and the realities of today. Over five years, the program has invested around 1.7 million euros and has assembled a collection of 129 works. Those purchased in 2021 are also on display at L’Escorxador and Llotja de Elche from September 21 onward.
The approach is described as a way to keep the pulse of current creation and to observe where contemporary art is headed. The program aims to bring more visibility to local artists and galleries, helping them reach a wider audience within the community and beyond. The initiative has progressively gained momentum since 2017, encouraging gallery owners who are interested in works acquired by a public institution to engage with artists represented in the collection. This momentum has produced new opportunities for collaboration and broader exposure for the region’s artistic talents.
The list of Alicante artists also includes Alejandro Casanova, Alejandro Mañas, Álex Marco, Amanda Moreno, Ángeles Marco, Carmen Calvo, Carmen Ortiz, Carolina Ferrer, Chema López, Claudia Martínez, Concha Ros, Elena Martí, Ester Pegueroles, Juan Fabuel, Juan Ortí, Julia Galán, Palau, Lluc Margrau, Lluís Masià, Nuria Riaza, Oliver Johnson, Roberto Molla, Sergio Barrera, Silvia Lerín, Vicente Ortí, and Vinz Feel Free, among others. The breadth of names reflects a vibrant network of creators who contribute to a dynamic regional art scene while also attracting attention from galleries outside the area.