Estonia’s largest ever Latin American art exhibition on display in Tallinn
Text Susanna Poikela Photo KUMU
Diego Rivera. The Little Dancer (Dancing Boy from Huejotzingo), around 1946. © The Phoebus Foundation
On June 21, Kumu Art Museum in Tallinn unveiled the exhibition “History and Mystery: Latin American Art and Europe.” The exhibition, which is the largest display of Latin American art ever held in Estonia, is organised in partnership with The Phoebus Foundation, who boast one of Europe’s most significant Latin American art collections.
The exhibition presents works from two distinct eras: Spanish colonial art from the 1600s to the 1800s and 20th-century modernist pieces by artists from Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The focus is on the artistic interplay between Latin America and Europe.
During the colonial period, art played a crucial role in propagating Christianity and reinforcing the social hierarchy established by the Spanish colonial regime. In contrast, the early 20th century saw a shift in the relationship between Latin America and Europe, with many young Latin American artists studying in Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona, while numerous European exiles found refuge in Latin America.
Both the colonial and modernist artworks reflect a fusion of European artistic trends with local indigenous traditions, creating a distinctive Latin American visual language.
A special feature of the exhibition is the presentation of surrealist artist and writer Leonora Carrington’s (1917-2011) works on the 4th floor. This segment showcases seven paintings from Carrington’s Mexican period, who is renowned for her unique style and imaginative, symbolic imagery.
The exhibition will be on display at the Kumu Art Museum until November 3. For those interested in further exploring Spanish art, the Kadriorg Art Museum is currently hosting España Blanca y Negra: Spanish Landscapes from Fortuny to Picasso.
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Art Exhibitions in Tallinn
Diego Rivera Art
Kumu Art Museum
Latin American Art
Leonora Carrington
Modernist Art
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