Fundació Úniques, promoting contemporary women artists
Foto: LinkedIn
Patricia Batalla, director of Fundació Úniques
What is Fundació Úniques?
Fundació Úniques is the foundation that has the aim to promote the work of contemporary women artists based in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands and to raise their profile in Spain and in the rest of the world.
We also encourage the collecting of art by women from the area in order to create a historical record of their work.
When was Fundació Úniques founded and when did you start working here?
It was created in 2023 by founders Manel Vallet and Adela Beltran. I joined in October of the same year.
What do you like most about your work?
I really enjoy deciding exactly what we want to do as a foundation and the ways in which we can help our beneficiaries, which is very enriching. I also enjoy implementing all the support we have planned, turning ideas into reality.
And of course I really enjoy the relationships with the artists that the foundation supports.
And what do you like least?
Although it is an essential part of supporting the artists, I don’t like the bureaucracy, as it slows down the creative processes.
What makes the foundation unique?
Fundació Úniques Our commitment to promoting contemporary women artists and our passion for local art and culture.
We focus on bringing the work of local women artists to an international audience so it can be seen and appreciated throughout the world.
What is your main challenge?
Fewer women artists are active in the visual arts as they grow older, with female artists over 50 a minority (according to the study Dones i Cultura 2023 by the Generalitat de Catalunya).
Our challenge is to help women artists to continue painting, sculpting, and creating. And we seek to give international visibility to these mid-career artists.
Where is the foundation located? Do you know why this location was chosen?
We are based in Barcelona. We have a beautiful exhibition center in Carrer de les Magdalenes, 2 in Ciutat Vella where we display the work of artists from all over Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands.
We chose Ciutat Vella because it is so rich in history and culture. We are located a short walk away from the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaza Sant Jaume, and the Portal del Angel.
What do you like most about working in Ciutat Vella?
I like the fact that it is one of the most iconic parts of Barcelona. It is the oldest district, a center for art and culture, and home to major museums and cultural centers such as the Picasso Museum, the Museum of History of Barcelona, the CCCB, and the MACBA.
The multiculturalism of Ciutat Vella is also reflected in its gastronomy, with foods from many different cultures and traditions in one place.
How important is Barcelona for the foundation?
Barcelona is important to us because of its rich artistic tradition and the fact that so many renowned artists have made their home here.
Barcelona is also important because of its multiculturalism, which enriches the artistic landscape and fosters creativity.
Which city would you compare Barcelona to?
The dynamic contemporary art scene, alternative spaces, and urban art culture makes Barcelona similar to Berlin; both cities are culturally diverse and open to new ideas.
Which city model should Barcelona be aligned with?
Different cities could serve as inspiration for different aspects of the city of Barcelona. Berlin is inspiring in culture and art, while Bilbao is an excellent example of economic development and urban regeneration as a result of projects like the Guggenheim Museum.
What best practices from other cities would you like Barcelona to adopt??
I would like Barcelona to run more international cultural events in order to attract artists from all over the world. And I would also welcome more investment in major cultural infrastructures.
What would you ask of the Barcelona of the future?
I ask Barcelona, besides everything I previously mentioned, I would like to see more urban regeneration projects in neglected parts of the city.
Finally, I would ask for more green spaces, with more parks and community gardens, as in Vancouver.
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