Souvenirs inoubliables 18, Circa 1995

Almazan Miquel  

His paintings, in which past and present intertwine, are a reflection on the passage of time. We encounter milkmaids, oil lamps, scrap vehicles, sharpening wheels, empty bottles, cookie tins, and other items that once had a useful life and now lie forgotten in a backyard or a cluttered room. The painter, with his sensitivity, advocates for the dignity of these tools, which, after making our existence easier, lie abandoned in a corner. These objects have the virtue of speaking to us both of distant times - when milk had to be fetched from the dairies, lighting was not electric, and the knife sharpener announced himself on the streets with a whistle - as well as of past dreams and emotions - when as children we kept small treasures in tin boxes and rode bicycles in the summer village.

The artist feels comfortable painting village houses where nature is very present, in the distance, in the form of landscapes, and in flowerpots adorning the facades. Roofs play a prominent role, as they express humanity's desire to break free from material limitations and ascend to a universe of spirituality, much like smoke escaping through chimneys into the sky.

Port activity is another topic of interest for the painter, and in the exhibition, we find canvases that were displayed just over a year ago at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, in an exhibition inaugurated by the president of the Port Authority of Barcelona, Sixte Cambra. The port captivates because it is a space of exchange, a starting point for adventure, and the destination of the journey undertaken.