Exhibitions
Ana Juan transforms drawing into a moving universe in 'Wunderkammer'
The exhibition Wunderkammer , presented at CentroCentro and curated by Inmaculada Corcho, should not be understood as a typical cabinet of curiosities or a simple retrospective. On the contrary, it is the project on which Ana Juan (Valencia, 1961) has worked intensively over the past year to create a space for thought and creative process. In this project, the artist transcends the boundaries of her well-known career as an illustrator to reaffirm herself as one of the leading figures in contemporary drawing, exploring dimensions ranging from three-dimensionality to the moving image.
The exhibition's concept revolves around the idea of weaving a personal universe to attempt to bring order to the complexity of contemporary reality. Ana Juan unfolds before the visitor a vast iconographic display populated by imaginary beings and figures that coexist and transform. This narrative structure is reminiscent of Ovid's Metamorphoses, where each work functions as an individual story that intertwines with the others to form a cohesive whole. It is an invitation for the viewer to forge their own connections with pieces that oscillate between aesthetic seduction and a disquieting strangeness.
Technically, the exhibition highlights the versatility of drawing as a primary language. Although the starting point is the classic medium of paper, Ana Juan's exploration has led her to investigate new expressive avenues that culminate in sculpture and animation. This transition between tradition and contemporary art allows us to observe the artistic virtuosity of an artist who has evolved from the rigor of editorial illustration toward personal projects of great metaphorical depth.
Ana Juan's career validates this creative ambition. Based in Madrid since 1983, her international recognition is undeniable, especially for her covers in The New Yorker . Awarded the National Illustration Prize in 2011, her work includes landmark titles such as Snow White and Lovers.
The rigor of the proposal is reinforced by the curatorship of Inmaculada Corcho, director of the ABC Museum, who has structured Wunderkammer as a stage where the strength of Ana Juan manifests itself in all its fullness, confirming drawing as an essential way of inhabiting the world.
