Palacio de Velázquez reopens with Fernando Sánchez Castillo exhibition

The Palacio de Velázquez in Madrid's El Retiro Park has reopened after renovation works funded by the European Recovery Plan. The inaugural exhibition, 'Fernando Sánchez Castillo. La Perla Peregrina', features around 200 works, including new pieces created on-site as the artist's studio is relocated to the venue. Curated by Ferran Barenblit, the show is described as a 'retro-prospective' that remains open to the present, with Sánchez Castillo working in the gallery throughout its run. The exhibition explores the relationship between history, power, and representation, drawing parallels with the formation of a pearl: art emerges from aggression, turning trauma into form and memory. Works address episodes of contemporary history, juxtaposing symbols of Francoism and authority with narratives of citizenship and freedom. The renovation included improvements to roofs, climate control, LED lighting, and a digital twin for building management. A bilingual catalogue (Spanish/English) will be published with texts by Barenblit, Germán Labrador, Cuauhtémoc Medina, and a conversation between the artist, Isabel Argerich, and Miguel Caballero. The exhibition runs until March 8, 2027.