The Museo del Arte Prohibido (Museum of banned artwork) in Barcelona
The Museo del Arte Prohibido (Museum of banned artwork) in Barcelona has recently opened its doors, proudly claiming to be the world's first museum dedicated solely to artwork that has been banned or censored throughout history. The collection boasts over 200 pieces, featuring art from renowned artists such as Picasso, Goya, and Andy Warhol.
One of the notable works in the museum is a provocative 2012 sculpture by Eugenio Merino, depicting Spanish dictator General Franco frozen inside a fizzy drinks refrigerator. This piece previously stirred controversy, resulting in an attempted lawsuit for defamation by followers of the late autocrat. Another significant inclusion is a portrait of Chairman Mao by Andy Warhol, which was removed by Chinese authorities from an exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of the artist’s death.
The museum also showcases works from other major artists such as Goya, Picasso, Miquel Barcelo, and the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. The collection is owned by Catalan businessman Tatxo Benet, who took the initiative to open the museum.
Benet emphasized the importance of understanding the context behind these censored artworks. He pointed out that the unifying factor of the collection is that all the pieces have faced censorship, attack, or some form of protest. To aid visitors in understanding this context, a detailed curriculum vitae accompanies each artwork.
However, not all controversial artworks made it to the public display. A piece featuring pixelated portraits of Catalan politicians, imprisoned following the contentious 2017 independence referendum, was removed just hours before the museum's opening. Benet, a supporter of Catalan independence, expressed his disappointment over the removal, stating that his personal ideology does not influence his acquisition of censored artworks.
Selena Mattei