Cultural Renaissance

Cultural Renaissance

The AFAL group constitutes one of the most significant ventures in the history of Spanish photography. Through AFAL magazine, edited by Carlos Pérez Siquier and José María Artero García, this collective proposed a renovation of visual language in a country that had remained largely isolated from the rest of the world since the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the years of Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975). It constituted a break-away from a stuffy environment which was dominated by conservative salons. The current exhibition, An Approach to AFAL, provides an insight to a time of cultural renaissance of the visual arts in Spain, not a minor achievement in a country that had still to endure many years of a dictatorial regime.

On view at Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid, until 7 January. Find out more here.

Credits:
1. Isabel’s Album. Period copy, silver gelatin bromide on paper. Museo Reina Sofía. Autric-Tamayo family’s donation, 2018.