National Museum of Athens Examines Democracy Through Southern European Art

The National Museum of Athens presents 'Democracy,' a major exhibition exploring the relationship between art and political history in Greece, Portugal, and Spain during their transitions from dictatorship to democracy in 1974-1975. Curated by Syrago Tsiara, the show features over 55 artists and 140 works, organized into thematic sections: 'The Face of the Enemy,' 'Resistance,' 'Democracy and Revolt,' and 'Awakening.' Highlights include Fernando Botero's ironic portrait of Franco, Jannis Psychopaidis's 'The Saviors' (1972), and works by the Spanish collective Equipo Crónica. The exhibition also reconstructs the practice of Greek artist Maria Karavela, whose studio was destroyed by fire. Tsiara emphasizes the show's relevance amid rising extremism and declining democratic participation. The museum reopened in 2021 with a completely renovated space and updated curatorial approach. The exhibition runs until February 2, 2025, with possible extension due to public success.