José María Barreiro’s “Vigo, luz e cor” Illuminates Casa das Artes

Vigo, Spain – The Casa das Artes in Vigo is currently hosting “Vigo, luz e cor” (Vigo, Light and Color), an exhibition showcasing the work of painter José María Barreiro. The exhibition, which runs from February 16th to April 26th, 2026, features approximately 80 works, including scenes of circuses, musicians, still lifes, urban landscapes, seascapes, and travel-inspired pieces. A recurring motif within the collection is the window, presented as a symbol connecting the internal and external worlds.

A Celebrated Galician Artist

José María Barreiro, a painter deeply rooted in Galician culture, has been an integral part of Vigo’s artistic community since 1974, following a period spent in Buenos Aires. He forged connections with prominent artists such as Lugrís, and Laxeiro. His work is characterized by a vibrant use of color and a distinctive pictorial universe.

Exhibition Highlights and Artistic Influences

The exhibition displays Barreiro’s diverse artistic interests, encompassing circus scenes, musical performances, still life compositions, and depictions of urban environments. The sea and travel experiences also feature prominently in his work. His artistic journey has been influenced by masters like Velázquez and Picasso, as well as literary figures such as Uxío Novoneyra and Gabriel García Márquez.

A Legacy of Collaboration and Inspiration

Barreiro’s artistic development was significantly shaped by his close collaboration with Urbano Lugrís. Their friendship, nurtured in the artistic circles of A Coruña, resulted in a pyrography of the Vigo estuary on embero wood, showcasing Lugrís’s fascination with the sea and Barreiro’s emerging artistic skill. He also shared artistic camaraderie with poet Celso Emilio Ferreiro and polygrapher Valentín Paz Andrade, fostering a view of art as a generous and life-affirming practice.

Recognition and Current Work

Barreiro’s work has garnered significant recognition, even finding its way into the Vatican collection. Currently residing in Santa María de Cela, he continues to create art, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Ons Island and the beaches of Agrelo and Portomaior.

Casa das Artes and the Exhibition

The exhibition is being held at the recently renovated Casa das Artes, which also houses the Laxeiro Foundation and the Torras collection. Vigo’s mayor, Abel Caballero, lauded the exhibition as “exceptional” and highlighted Barreiro’s importance to the city’s cultural landscape. The exhibition opened on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, at 6:30 PM.