The Palau Bofarull in Reus is hosting “Autour. Els Hàbitats de Nicole Florensa” (Around. The Habitats of Nicole Florensa) until 13 June. The exhibition celebrates the artist on the centenary of her birth, highlighting her artistic journey through engravings, watercolours, photographs, and paintings.
The Diputació de Tarragona president, Noemí Llauradó, inaugurated the exhibition, which was produced by the Apel·les Fenosa Museum in El Vendrell. Llauradó stated that the aim is to “reclaim her as a woman artist, as she has not been sufficiently recognised despite the excellence of her works.” Nekane Aramburu, the exhibition's curator and director of the Apel·les Fenosa Museum, also attended the opening.
Florensa found essential inspiration in the Baix Penedès region from the late 1950s onwards. Here, nature, light, and the landscape shaped her free and exploratory perspective, focused on capturing and interpreting the external world through a lifestyle based on freedom and simple gestures.
Artistic Techniques and Influences
Florensa moved away from academic tradition and was influenced by Japanese painters and engravers. Her first burin engravings date back to 1962, showing her mastery of the technique. From 1970, Florensa became a virtuoso of the mezzotint technique, which allows white tones to be obtained from a completely black surface.
Beyond her artistic practice, Nicole Florensa was instrumental in creating the Apel·les Fenosa Foundation. This foundation preserves and promotes the legacy of the sculptor Apel·les Fenosa, who was her husband. The exhibition at Palau Bofarull connects with the Apel·les Fenosa Museum's display in El Vendrell, placing Florensa’s work within the vital, intellectual, and creative context she shared with Fenosa and their circle.
Connecting Exhibitions and Legacy
This dialogue between the two exhibitions is reflected in the activity “De Reus al Vendrell: un viatge per Florensa, Rodoreda i Fenosa” (From Reus to El Vendrell: a journey through Florensa, Rodoreda and Fenosa). This programme, scheduled for 30 May, will link the two exhibitions with a joint visit. It is a free activity that includes coach transport to El Vendrell and back to Reus.
The exhibition at Palau Bofarull is open from 8 May to 13 June, Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm.
