Felix Gonzalez-Torres 'Sweet Revenge' at Reina Sofía
In Madrid, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is showcasing 'Dulce venganza' (Sweet Revenge), marking the first solo exhibition of Felix Gonzalez-Torres in the city. Curated by Nancy Spector and Alejandro Cesarco, the exhibit comprises over fifty pieces from his artistic journey. Gonzalez-Torres, who was born in Guáimaro, Cuba in 1957, relocated to Spain in 1971 and later established his life in Puerto Rico and New York. He completed his studies at the University of Puerto Rico and received a BFA from Pratt Institute in 1983. His art, shaped by the AIDS epidemic and the loss of his partner Ross Laycock in 1991, includes significant works such as 'Untitled' (Revenge) and 'Untitled' (Passport) (1991), addressing themes of identity, loss, and temporality.
Key facts
- First solo exhibition of Felix Gonzalez-Torres in Madrid
- Held at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- Curated by Alejandro Cesarco and Nancy Spector
- Over fifty works on display
- Gonzalez-Torres was born in Guáimaro, Cuba in 1957
- He was sent to Spain in 1971 as part of a minor relocation program
- He studied at University of Puerto Rico, Pratt Institute (BFA 1983), and Whitney Independent Study Program
- Member of Group Material from 1987 to 1994
- His partner Ross Laycock died of AIDS in 1991
- Gonzalez-Torres died of AIDS-related complications in Miami in 1996 at age 38
- Title 'Dulce venganza' references a phrase the artist used about his 1991 return to Madrid
- Key works include 'Untitled' (Revenge), 'Untitled' (Madrid 1971), 'Untitled' (Passport), 'Untitled' (Public Opinion), 'Untitled' (North), 'Untitled' (Portrait of Austrian Airlines), 'Untitled' (Arena), 'Untitled' (Chemo), 'Untitled' (21 Days of Bloodwork – Steady Decline), 'Untitled' (Beginning)
Entities
Artists
- Felix Gonzalez-Torres
- Ross Laycock
- Félix González-Torres
Institutions
- Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- Group Material
- University of Puerto Rico
- Pratt Institute
- Whitney Independent Study Program
- Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Smithsonian Institution
- Museo Reina Sofía
- Fundación Félix González-Torres
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Glenstone
- Fundación Museo Reina Sofía
- JCDecaux
- Metro de Madrid
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Guáimaro
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- New York
- United States
- Miami
- Washington, D.C.
- Cuzco
- Guzmán el Bueno
- Retiro
- O’Donnell
- Legazpi
- Tirso de Molina