Page 51 - Studio International - April 1965

Spain. In fact, the French refer to themselves as outside Spain. Nevertheless, Pijuan already has a place
Catalans and call the others Spanish Catalans, despite in the select list of modern Spanish artists who are
the fact that Barcelona is the acknowledged capital of recognised as leaders of the contemporary movement,
the country. Aesthetically, Catalonia has an astonish- even beyond Spain's frontiers. Pericot (Jordipericot)
ingly rich history in painting and sculpture. Never more has been establishing a reputation for himself in
so than today. Abelló therefore, has a wide range from France. Planell and Valles also come into this category,
which to choose. although the former is probably better known in the
Malaga-born Picasso has become an adoptive son of United States. By and large, the modern Catalan school
Barcelona ever since his student days. He must there- can be loosely described as abstract. Much of the work
fore be counted among the number. Most Catalans is concerned chiefly with the function of the media
believe he is a native son anyway. Dali, too, was born used, and in this manner Tàpies unquestionably has
outside the province, but his home establishment is at been the pioneer. Tabara, Suarez, Puig, Casamada,
Port Lligat, near Cadaques and just south of the Franco- Argimón, Salamanca, Bea and even Comellas take this
Spanish border. Miró is probably the most famous approach. Outside this movement, Claret is an estab-
Catalan artist alive, but many others—including Tàpies lished and undeviating hard-edge abstract artist, and
—are now establishing international reputations; the veteran septuagenarian De Sucre swings between a
notably Tharrats, Vila Casas and Clavé. All these magic abstraction and a magic realism, executed in
artists are represented in the Abelló collection. Tàpies chalky colours.
is not the only member of the famous Catalan group of Besides the paintings, there are the examples of
painters 'Dau al Set' in Mollet. Abelló also possesses modern sculpture and ceramics. In looking out for the
fine examples of work by Cuixart. Picasso plates, it is worth while giving more than
His intention to gather the artists of Barcelona and passing notice to Cumella's ceramics. This artist (not
Catalonia inevitably means that some of his artists are to be confused with the painter Joan Comellas who
either too young or too local to be very well known also produces ceramics), observing traditional methods,