The city of Vigo is celebrating the centenary of artist Mercedes Ruibal with a new exhibition that opened at the Pinacoteca. Curated by her niece, Graciela Baquero Ruibal, the exhibition features around fifty selected works, highlighting the significance of this renowned artist.
During the inauguration, Abel Caballero, the mayor of Vigo, praised the exhibition as an opportunity for the public to appreciate the creativity of an exceptional artist. Carmela Silva, the deputy mayor, referred to Ruibal as an “indispensable” figure in the city’s cultural landscape. She emphasised that the exhibition brings dignity to the Pinacoteca, representing the often-silenced voices of women throughout history.
The exhibition includes works from various public collections, such as the Concello de Vigo, the Museo Quiñones de León, and the Parliament of Galicia, as well as numerous private collections. Graciela Baquero Ruibal’s curation aims to provide a more intimate and personal perspective on her aunt’s life and work, featuring pieces that explore themes from childhood and motherhood to poignant reflections on historical events such as the Chilean repression and the wars in Vietnam and Bosnia.
Born in the village of Xeve, Pontevedra, in 1926, Mercedes Ruibal was a true global citizen, having lived in Buenos Aires, Rome, and Madrid. However, she spent the majority of her life in Vigo, where she and her husband, artist Agustín Pérez Bellas, established their home and where she produced much of her notable work.
