During the exhibition's presentation, a member of the Friends of Painter Julio Galarta association stated that the entity has donated approximately "600 paintings" they owned to the Arrasate City Council. A selection of these works has been made to showcase the diversity and quality of Julio Galarta's art to the public. The painter was renowned for his landscapes, but he also created still lifes and portraits, as visitors will be able to appreciate from Friday afternoon until June 20.
“"Through his paintings, one can see what Arrasate was like, its streets, neighborhoods, and farmhouses. Those that have disappeared, changed, or remained identical. Therefore, the collection and inventory work carried out by the association has been very important, and now the donation of all this heritage to the people of Arrasate for the City Council to preserve it. With this donation, the painter's greatest wish is fulfilled; that his artistic legacy belongs to the people of Arrasate, so that future generations can know and enjoy his work."
The acquired collection is the result of the extensive work carried out by the Friends of Painter Julio Galarta association since the painter's death in 2011. The association has inventoried and cataloged over 1,800 documents by the artist throughout these years. Furthermore, the recently accepted donation includes, in addition to works provided by the artist's family, pieces from the heirs of Begoña Enparantza and Ana Rosa Bidaburu.
Although Julio Galarta (1917-2011) was born in Zizurkil, he moved to Arrasate at the age of two, where he developed his life and art. After training at the Tarregas Painting Academy in Barcelona and the San Jorge Higher School of Fine Arts, he spread his style worldwide, never forgetting the landscapes of his surroundings (Debagoiena, Aramaio, and Arrasate).
The exhibition highlights Galarta's "passion for color," which was the most significant characteristic of his art. As the artist himself stated, he gave "priority to drawing" and "then to the harmony of colors." He mentioned that the light of the Basque Country "is transient, fleeting, therefore, one must work hard to achieve color effects."
