Exhibition tribute to Marbella great: “1,000 faces of Manuela”

Marbella’s Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo is playing tribute to the much loved art gallerist Manuela Vilches Quesada with a special exhibition titled “Las mil caras de Manuela: Galería de retratos de Manuela Vilches Quesada.” Curated by Paloma Biyú, the show is open until the end of December.

Vilches Quesada, who passed away on February 4, of this year, after a long illness, was a pivotal figure in Marbella’s culture and art scene. She maintained a deep affection for the Museo del Grabado since its founding in 1992. The exhibition features two distinct sections: Sala 8 displays a selection of works created in her memory by seventeen artists, while Sala 9 presents portraits of the gallerist from her personal collection.

A prominent promoter of contemporary Spanish art, Vilches Quesada opened her first Marbella gallery in 1984, inaugurating it with works by César Manrique. Over the decades, her gallery became a cornerstone for artists such as Fernando Brinkmann, Paco Peinado, Fernando Zóbel, Francisco Bores, and Guillermo Pérez-Villalta, alongside permanent displays featuring masters like Antoni Tàpies, Josep Guinovart, and Luis Barbadillo.

Her influence on the art scene extended internationally, with participation in art fairs in the United States, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. She was also among the key supporters behind the creation of Spain’s prestigious ARCO International Art Fair, under the leadership of Juana de Aizpuru.

In May 2024, Marbella artists organised a heartfelt homage to Vilches Quesada, during which she announced her intention to donate a unique sculpture by Faustino Aizkorbe to the city. The donation was accepted by the Ayuntamiento and is now permanently exhibited at the museum.

The exhibition is a celebration her lasting legacy as a passionate advocate for contemporary engraving and Spanish art, inviting visitors to explore the many facets of a woman who shaped Marbella’s artistic identity for over four decades.

The museum is in Calle Hospital Bazán, Marbella.