THE FIGURE OF LAXEIRO. Symposium
The Royal Galician Academy of Fine Arts dedicated this year’s Day of Galician Arts, 1 April 2022, to the artist José Otero Abeledo, known as Laxeiro.
On the occasion of this event and as part of a number of activities programmed over the year, this symposium seeks to explore the artist’s work and highlight his importance in twentieth-century Galician and international art.
The life and artistic career of Laxeiro (Lalín, Pontevedra, 1908 - Vigo, Pontevedra, 1996) covers practically the whole of the last century, and he has become, in his own right, one of the most unique figures on the Galician arts scene. His contribution to the renovation movement of Galician art, his international projection and his influence on generations of Galician artists justify the review and in-depth study of his work.
Two important names in the study and criticism of art in Spain will be taking part in this symposium on Laxeiro’s life—Carlos Bernárdez and Carlos Valle. The first, as curator of the exhibition Foi un home, which focuses on Laxeiro’s work during the twenty years he spent in Argentina, from 1951 to 1970. The second, as the author of an informative book on the honoree's work, commissioned by the Academy and aimed at Galician schools. Both will share their personal visions on Laxeiro with the audience.
Manuel Quintana Martelo
President of the Real Academia Galega de Belas Artes
PROGRAMME
5.00 p.m.
INTRODUCTION
Speakers: Santiago Olmo, Director of CGAC; Manuel Quintana Martelo, president of the RAGBA and Anxo Lorenzo Suárez, Director General of Cultural Policy of the Xunta de Galicia
5.30 p.m.
LAXEIRO, BETWEEN THE AFIRMATION AND THE DISSOLUTION OF THE SUBJECT
Lecture given by Carlos López Bernárdez
6.15 p.m.
PONTEVEDRA IN LAXEIRO'S CREATIVE CAREER
Lecture given by Carlos Valle Pérez
7.00 p.m.
ROUNDTABLE
Speakers: Carlos López Bernárdez and Carlos Valle Pérez
LED BY
CARLOS LÓPEZ BERNÁRDEZ (Vigo, Pontevedra, 1958) is an art historian. His most important books include: Bestiario en pedra (2004), in collaboration with X. R. Mariño Ferro; Breve historia da arte galega (2005); Maruja Mallo, a pintura da nova muller (2010); Do idilio á diáspora (2012); Un pintor que sabía o que facía. Achega á obra pictórica de Luís Seoane (2016); Identidade e universalidade. Lecturas de pintura galega (2018) and Fronte da arte. A arte galega no contexto europeo dos anos trinta (2020).
Regarding Laxeiro, he was curator of De Vigo a Buenos Aires. Laxeiro e a arte galega de posguerra (2008); Son eu. Dezaoito autorretratos de Laxeiro (2020) and Foi un home. Laxeiro en América (2022).
CARLOS VALLE PÉREZ (Pontevedra, 1953) holds a degree and a PhD in History of Art, in both cases achieving summa cum laude, from the University of Santiago de Compostela. He was assistant secretary-director (1981-1986) and director (1986-2018) of the Museum of Pontevedra, and vice-president (1989-1993) and president (1993-2001) of the Confederación Española de Centros de Estudios Locales (entity attached to the CSIC – Superior Council of Scientist Investigations). He’s a numerary member of the Royal Galician Academy of Fine Arts and correspondent for the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Santa Isabel de Hungría (Seville), and the Academia Nacional de Belas-Artes of Portugal. Member of various Galician, Spanish and international scientific bodies, he’s also the president of the Sociedade Coral Polifónica de Pontevedra and secretary of the Premio de Periodismo Francisco Fernández del Riego, journalism award promoted by Afundación. Over his extensive career he has been curator and co-curator of numerous exhibitions including the one programmed in 2008 by the Museum of Pontevedra to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Laxeiro. He is the author of more than two hundred publications and has been awarded various distinctions and decorations for his work in the arts.
TARGET GROUP
Students, professional, and anybody interested in the history of art.