Exhibition dates: 24 April 2026 – 30 June 2026
SC Gallery celebrates its 18th anniversary with the group exhibition Erretratu II, a contemporary exploration of the portrait
Bilbao, 2026 — SC Gallery marks 18 years of activity and celebrates with the opening of Erretratu II (Portrait II), the second edition of a group exhibition dedicated to the contemporary portrait. This exhibition offers a critical reexamination of the human figure and its forms of representation in the current context, fostering a dialogue between tradition and the contemporary.
The exhibition brings together artists associated with the gallery alongside collaborators and guests, forming a diverse array of perspectives and artistic approaches. Participants: Ana Barriga, Ana Riaño, Ángeles Agrela, Camila Mihkelsoo, Carla Fuentes, Fátima de Juan, Grip Face, Imon Boy, Iván Floro, Javier Palacios, Juana González, Julia Santa Olalla, Luis Candaudap, Nieves González, Paco Pomet, Pablo Merchante, Santiago Ydáñez, Sebas Velasco and Silvia Lermo.
The portrait: from classical permanence to fragmented identity
In Spanish, retrato (portrait) comes from the Latin verb retrahere, “to make (someone or something) go back”, and in classical painting it became established as a representational device linked to permanence, status and the construction of a stable identity. For centuries, the portrait adhered to precise formal conventions, aimed at cementing the image of the individual within a specific symbolic and social framework.
In contrast, contemporary practice has shifted from this model towards a more unstable and fragmentary conception. The portrait no longer seeks merely to preserve an image, but to capture the mutable condition of the subject, shaped by dynamics of change and the influence of the digital environment. In this context, identity is presented as a process in constant reform rather than as a fixed entity.
The exhibition brings together a collection of works that articulate this transition between the classical and the contemporary, exploring different approaches to figurative painting. The portrait is thus conceived not only as an aesthetic category, but as a field of tension from which to interpret the transformations in the way of conceiving and representing the individual today.
Practical information
24 April – 30 June 2026
Address: Calle Cortes 4. Bilbao.
Opening times: Tue – Fri: 17:00 – 20:00 h. Saturdays and mornings: 11:00 – 14:00 (appointment needed)
For further information, please contact:
Press / Email: scgallery@scgallery.es
