MoMa inaugurates first retrospective of Catalan-Uruguayan artist Torres-García in 45 years

Barcelona (CNA).- 'Joaquín Torres-García: The Arcadian Modern', is the first retrospective of the Catalan-Uruguayan artist to be displayed in the US in the last 45 years. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York inaugurated this Tuesday the exhibition, which include 190 pieces from the artist's early days in Barcelona, at the end of 19^th century, to his last works in Montevideo in 1949. The retrospective includes Torres-García's works in painting, sculpture, fresco, drawing and collage. One of the most renowned artworks included in the exhibition is one of the four large murals that the artist designed for the 'Saló de Sant Jordi' one of the most iconic rooms in the Catalan Government's headquarters, 'Palau de la Generalitat'. The mural has been dismantled and moved to New York especially for the occasion.  

This major retrospective of Joaquín Torres-Garcia (Montevideo 1875-1949) will be displayed in the MoMa from the 25^th of October to the 16^th of February next year and features works from the late 19^th century up to the 1940s, including drawings, paintings, objects, sculptures, and original artist notebooks and rare publications. The exhibition combines a chronological display with a thematic approach, structured into a series of major chapters in the artist’s career, with an emphasis on two key moments. From 1923 to 1933, Torres-García took part in various European avant-garde movements while established in Barcelona and settled his particular pictographic-constructivist style.When the artist returned to Montevideo he produced one of the most striking repertoires of synthetic abstraction during the period between 1935 and 1949.

Amongst the 190 pieces that constitute the exhibition, that which stands out is one of the four large murals that the artist designed for the 'Saló de Sant Jordi', one of the most iconic rooms in the Catalan Government's headquarters, 'Palau de la Generalitat'. The mural has been dismantled and moved to New York especially for the occasion. 

The retrospective is commissioned by Luis Pérez-Oramas and was created in collaboration with the Institut Ramon Llull, a public institution which aims to promote Catalan culture and language. The inauguration in New York was led by MoMa's directorGlenn D. Lowry and included the presence of Pérez-Oramas and the director of the Institut Ramon Llull, Àlex Susanna. After its run at the MoMa, the exhibition will be displayed in Madrid's 'Espacio Fundación Teléfonica' and 'Museo Picasso' in Málaga.