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Spanish artists in Paraguay explore legacy of women from Spain's Silver Age
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Spanish artists in Paraguay explore legacy of women from Spain's Silver Age

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • An exhibition titled 'Ojos que encendí' (Eyes that I ignited) is showcasing works by 11 Spanish female artists in Asunción, Paraguay.
  • The exhibition explores and celebrates the legacy of women from the 'Silver Age,' a period of significant intellectual and scientific achievement in Spain.
  • It features a dialogue between the Spanish artists' works and pieces by 10 Paraguayan artists who reinterpreted the work of Josefina Plá, a pivotal figure in Paraguayan culture.

The Juan de Salazar Spanish Cultural Center in Asunción, Paraguay, is currently hosting 'Ojos que encendí' (Eyes that I ignited), an exhibition featuring 11 Spanish female artists. Running until October 24, the exhibition delves into the contributions and legacies of women from Spain's 'Silver Age,' a period renowned for its intellectual and scientific flourishing.

The works 'dialogue' with the artistic, scientific, and intellectual heritage of the women of the Silver Age, many of them pioneers in their fields.

— Elisa MirallesDescribing the thematic connection of the artworks.

This marks the first international tour for 'Ojos que encendí,' which originally debuted in 2025 with support from PHotoESPAÑA, a major global photography festival. The Asunción iteration uniquely incorporates works by 10 local Paraguayan artists. These artists engage in a dialogue with the exhibition's theme by reinterpreting the legacy of Josefina Plá, a central figure in 20th-century Paraguayan culture.

We are today putting two exhibitions in dialogue: the existing generation of 2025 and, for the first time, PHotoESPAÑA is doing a tour in Latin America uniting this great figure of Josefina Plá through the works of 10 Paraguayan artists.

— Leonor de BlasExplaining the curatorial approach of the exhibition in Asunción.

Spanish artist Elisa Miralles explained to EFE that the works in the exhibition "dialogue" with the artistic, scientific, and intellectual heritage of women from the Silver Age, many of whom were pioneers in their respective fields. Miralles, who transitioned from chemical engineering to art and photography, noted that the legacy of chemist Dorotea Barnés González (1904-2003) particularly resonated with her, given their shared connection to science.

Josefina was a great woman, an artist, she left a great legacy in our country, a Spaniard who chose Paraguay as her own land. She is part of those pioneering women who left a great legacy for those who came after.

— Leonor de BlasReflecting on the significance of Josefina Plá's contribution to Paraguayan culture.

The exhibition highlights the pioneering spirit of women like Barnés González, who broke ground in chemistry and biochemistry for Spanish women. Miralles's own contributions to the exhibition include two pieces that reflect on Barnés González's life and work, especially in light of the post-Civil War era that saw many women leave scientific pursuits. The inclusion of Paraguayan artists interpreting Plá's work adds another layer, emphasizing a cross-cultural conversation about female pioneers and their enduring influence.

It is not so common in Paraguay to see exhibitions by women looking at women and also curated by women. Therefore, it has great relevance.

— Leonor de BlasHighlighting the significance of the exhibition's female-centric focus.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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