"78-86-22": Enrique Burone Risso's exhibition transforms World Cups into works of art

Argentine artist Enrique Burone Risso is transforming football's most celebrated moments into art with his exhibition "78-86-22." The collection, displayed at Galería Zurbarán in Buenos Aires until June 10, pays homage to the national team's three World Cup triumphs: Argentina 1978, Mexico 1986, and Qatar 2022.

The exhibition features 26 paintings, each capturing an epic moment from these victorious tournaments, as seen through the eyes of different generations. Visitors can also experience installations and a video, all designed to evoke the passion of Argentine football. Burone Risso, who has over 45 solo exhibitions to his name, stated that the show was inspired by his childhood memory of attending the 1978 final between Argentina and the Netherlands.

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This exhibition is very important because it was born from a memory from 48 years ago, when I could go and witness the Argentina-Holland final live with my father.

"This exhibition is very important because it was born from a memory from 48 years ago, when I could go and witness the Argentina-Holland final live with my father," Burone Risso recalled. "It was born from that, because I said: 'I have painted for 40 years. I painted about football and I painted over 100 stadiums, but I hadn't done anything about the National Team. It's the year of the World Cup, let's do an exhibition with the National Team, a tribute to Argentine football and to the players who won the three World Cups. And also to those who didn't make it: there are several who were left at the door.'"

Upon entering the gallery, visitors are transported through a "time tunnel" of memories. Burone Risso's works are designed to resonate with personal experiences, evoking the shared shouts of "goal!" and the unbridled celebrations that define Argentine football fandom. Standout pieces include "La obra maestra," a panoramic depiction of Diego Maradona's "Goal of the Century" against England in 1986, and "Llegaste tarde, Shilton," which immortalizes Maradona's infamous handball goal in the same match. The exhibition also features "El gol de Burru," celebrating Jorge Burruchaga's title-winning goal against Germany, alongside depictions of Maradona lifting the World Cup trophy.

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I have painted for 40 years. I painted about football and I painted over 100 stadiums, but I hadn't done anything about the National Team. It's the year of the World Cup, let's do an exhibition with the National Team, a tribute to Argentine football and to the players who won the three World Cups. And also to those who didn't make it: there are several who were left at the door.