The exhibition, open until December 7th, offers a glimpse into the extensive graphic work of the Martínez Guerricabeitia Collection, one of Spain's most significant contemporary art collections. This collection, bequeathed to the Universitat de València in 1999, comprises nearly five hundred works, predominantly prints, with around 300 pieces by approximately 150 artists, mainly from the 1970s and 1980s.
The 129 works selected for Ontinyent showcase the collection's diversity in techniques, styles, and themes, encompassing movements such as informel, abstract expressionism, geometric abstraction, neo-cubism, social and critical realism, narrative figuration, pop art, and hyperrealism. Among the featured artists are names like Josep Renau, Manuela Ballester, Roy Lichtenstein, Eduardo Chillida, Antoni Tàpies, Antonio Saura, Juan Genovés, Agustín Ibarrola, Equipo Crónica, and Equipo Realidad, among many others.
The inauguration was attended by the first vice-president of the Diputació de València, Natalia Enguix; the Councillor for Culture, Àlex Borrell; the Vice-rector for Culture of the Universitat de València, Albert Moncusí; the exhibition's curator, Felipe Jerez Moliner; and the director of the Martínez Guerricabeitia Collection, Clara Solves.
“"Hosting this exhibition is another opportunity to continue making culture a meeting space, making available to citizens works that are part of the heritage of the Universitat de València."
Natalia Enguix thanked the Universitat de València for its commitment to bringing its collections to municipalities like Ontinyent. For his part, Vice-rector Albert Moncusí emphasized the responsibility of a public university to share its heritage and knowledge with the territory through touring exhibitions like this one. Councillor for Culture, Àlex Borrell, highlighted the opportunity to closely view such a broad selection of graphic works by fundamental artists and invited citizens to enjoy the art and the ideas behind many of these pieces.
The curator, Felipe Jerez, explained that the exhibition, organized by the Vice-rectorate of Culture of the Universitat de València, the Martínez Guerricabeitia Collection, and the Ontinyent City Council, with the collaboration of Caixa Popular, advocates for a reflective attitude towards the era, presenting pieces of great technical richness and added value, such as artist's proofs and early prints.
