The Asturian Parliament has inaugurated the exhibition of the “II Bienal de Pintura de la Junta General,” showcasing the 20 finalist works in the Europa Room, located on the first floor of the Palace. The event was presided over by Juan Cofiño, the president of the Junta General, who presented the awards to the winners of the painting competition, which received a total of 72 submissions.
The first prize, worth 12,000 euros, was awarded to Sara Quintero Pomares for her artwork “Fraude y Malicia,” while Guillermo Peñalver received the second prize of 8,000 euros for his piece “Una tarde con Mari.” In his speech, Cofiño emphasized the importance of this initiative in bringing art to the Parliament, stating, “We aim to transform the Palace of the Junta into a cultural battleground, a place of varied interpretations of artistic expression.”
Cofiño expressed gratitude to the jury members and all the participating artists, encouraging those who did not win to continue submitting their work for future editions. He congratulated the winners, noting that their pieces would join the already significant collection of the Parliament’s art gallery.
Alfonso Palacio, the director of the Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias, highlighted the historical significance of the Parliament, noting that it was the origin of the museum in 1980 when 300 works were transferred there. He expressed his joy at returning to this foundation and thanked the institution for its ongoing support of the arts. Palacio commended the Junta General for its exceptional commitment to cultural heritage and stressed the importance of recognizing and rewarding artistic endeavors.
The exhibition will be open to the public during the open house days from December 6 to 9, and it will remain accessible until December 15. The event successfully merges the realms of art and politics, showcasing the vibrant artistic landscape of Asturias and providing a platform for emerging and established artists alike.
Photo credits: Photos from the archives of Guillermo Peñalver
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