José López Campos, the Galician Minister of Culture, Language and Youth, has proclaimed Galicia as a "powerhouse and reference point for contemporary creation," emphasising the region's contribution to the global perception of 'Galicia Calidade'—a term that denotes the quality of Galician products and culture. His remarks came during the visit to the second edition of the 'Territorio Contemporánea' exhibition, part of the Aberto26 programme, which is supported by the Xunta de Galicia and will be on display at the Centro Obra Social ABANCA in Santiago de Compostela until 27 March.
López Campos noted that this initiative allows the public to engage with the latest avant-garde creations from both within and outside the region. He highlighted that the 'Territorio Contemporánea' exhibition, driven by ABANCA and the Association of Contemporary Art Galleries of Galicia, showcases a "wide variety of artistic languages that demonstrate both the richness and quality of Galician creators."
The minister underscored the importance of the Galician government's support for programming like Aberto26, which promotes collective exhibitions that help disseminate the work of Galician artists while also boosting the activities of local art galleries, with which the government maintains ongoing collaboration.
As a clear example of this commitment, López Campos pointed to the support for Aberto26 and the annual grants provided for galleries to participate in fairs and events outside the region. He praised this governmental backing for its role in "encouraging the artistic activities of entities working in the sector, which play a significant role in promoting contemporary art, supporting artists, and stimulating the economic dynamism of culture."
The minister also mentioned the new direction of the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art, which aims to further enhance and internationalise the talents of Galician creators, who are increasingly recognised both locally and abroad.
Second edition of 'Territorio Contemporánea'
Similar to its inaugural edition, the project, organised by ABANCA and the Association of Contemporary Art Galleries of Galicia, is structured into two exhibition blocks that explore contemporary creation and its connection to the history of recent art.
The first part of the exhibition features works from nine galleries and nine contemporary artists, addressing themes such as landscape, memory, body, architecture, and territory. Visitors can experience a vibrant array of styles, from the colourful explosion of Francisco Mendes Moreira (Galería Treinta) to the monochrome documentary photography of Anna Turbau (Galería Noreste), alongside the precise lines of Héctor Francesch (Galería Moret Art), the geometric installations of Román Corbato (Galería Niebla), and the pictorial clarity of Hugo Alonso (Galería Dupla), among others.
The second block, located on the first floor, creates connections between works from these artists and iconic pieces from the ABANCA Art Collection. This includes works by Xurxo Gómez-Chao (Moret Art) and Antía Moure, as well as pieces by Alberto Odériz (Noreste) that engage in dialogue with canvases by Darío Basso. The exhibition also establishes visual conversations between creators such as Lara Pintos (Galería Dupla) and Rubén Ramos Balsa, among others, showcasing the interconnectedness of contemporary artistic expression.
