The creative universe of Manolo Millares extended beyond painting; the renowned Canarian artist also explored the creative possibilities of writing and theatre. To commemorate the centenary of his birth, Teatro Guiniguada invites the public to rediscover some of the lesser-known facets of the Gran Canarian artist, regarded as a key figure in 20th-century Spanish art.
The event, titled ‘Millares. Centenary’, will take place on Wednesday, 28 October, at 19:00, and will bring together literature, theatre, and experimental cinema to explore different forms of expression present in Millares' artistic trajectory. Admission is free, but prior seat reservation is required at the theatre's box office or website.
The evening will feature actress and playwright Aranza Coello, along with Coro Millares, the artist's daughter and custodian of his legacy. Both will delve into the experimental dimension of Millares' work through a theatrical reading, a discussion, and the screening of a unique audiovisual piece in which Millares himself becomes the protagonist of the artistic action.
The session will commence with a dramatized reading of selected texts from ‘Dramas para leer’, which provide insight into the literary side of the creator. The interpretation will be performed by Aranza Coello, an actress, director, and playwright with an extensive career in the performing arts, recognised with various national and international awards.
Following the reading, Coello will engage in conversation with Coro Millares about these explorations in writing and other artistic expressions that broaden the understanding of Millares' production. This dialogue will reveal a restless creator whose experimentation transcended the boundaries of painting and established connections with various artistic languages.
The tribute will also include the screening of ‘Millares por Alberto Portera’, a film shot in 1966 that documents a performative action by the painter. In this piece, Millares wraps himself in cloth and covers his body in paint, transforming into an evocation of the ancient Canarian mummies. This reference to the pre-Hispanic past of the islands is a fundamental element of his creative imagination, known worldwide for his burlap works.
The artist's fascination with archaeological remnants and the indigenous cultures of the Canary Islands accompanied him from his early years and left a profound mark on his artistic language. The film, originally shot on Super 8 and later digitised, is part of the Alberto Portera and Catherine Cailliau Archive, preserved at the Juan March Foundation's Library and Research Support Centre.
Manolo Millares (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 1926 – Madrid, 1972) was one of the most prominent figures of the Spanish avant-garde in the 20th century. A self-taught artist, he began his artistic career in the Canary Islands, where he participated in cultural initiatives such as the poetry magazine Planas de Poesía and the LADAC group. His interest in archaeology and the pre-Hispanic past of the islands profoundly influenced his work, particularly in series like Pictografías canarias. In 1955, he moved to Madrid, where he began experimenting with materials such as burlap, which would become a hallmark of his artistic language. Two years later, he co-founded the El Paso group, which was crucial for the renewal of post-war Spanish art. He passed away prematurely at the age of 46, leaving an essential legacy for understanding the development of contemporary art.
