The Municipal Cemetery of Bilbao transformed into an artistic venue last Saturday, June 13th, for the fifth edition of its Quick Painting Contest. For five hours, a total of 39 artists from around the world participated in the event. Subsequently, the jury, composed of painting officials from the Asociación Artística Vizcaina, selected the four winning pieces, which will become part of the Bilbao Zerbitzuak artistic collection.
Álvaro Pérez, Bilbao City Council's delegate for Health and Consumption, highlighted the initiative's goal: "to promote the cemetery as another space in the city" and "to talk about death without taboo, with naturalness." He also invited citizens to visit the necropolis, stating, "I believe we have a cultural, artistic, and heritage value here that is worthy of public knowledge."
Among the participants were individuals from across the globe, including Germany and Colombia, as well as local Basque residents and others from different parts of Spain. Monserrat Valera from Asturias described the cemetery as "an impressive work of art," while art student Lara Juesas, originally from Gasteiz, emphasized the space's sculptural value and the respect conveyed by painting in such an environment, noting, "I have to take it more seriously because there are people buried here."
Furthermore, participants agreed that necropolises offer great tranquility for creative work and serve as significant sources of inspiration for artists like themselves. Sara Garsai mentioned, "When I go to other contests, I often go into the cemetery to see what's interesting there."
Initially, artists sought inspiration within the grounds. Sculptures, pantheons, gardens, tree-lined avenues, and plays of light and shadow became the focus of the day's works. "This cemetery has it all: beauty, art, architecture," stated Diego Fernández, one of the contestants. Some took longer to find their spot, while others, like the contest winner Mikel Sanz, knew exactly what they wanted to paint upon arrival: "Last year, when I came for the first time, after we finished submitting, I saw how the light hit the stairs and I liked the motif."
After five hours of heat and painting, the artists submitted their works to the chapel for jury evaluation. Following half an hour of deliberation, the four winners were chosen: the first prize went to Mikel Sanz, the second to Fernando de Vicente, the third to Eduardo Alsasua, and the fourth to Fernando Ureta.
The winner, Mikel Sanz, had participated in the previous edition and found his inspiration at the end of the contest by observing a scene that, at first glance, might seem like simple stairs, but holds a much deeper meaning: "It seemed like a way to connect the people who are in the cemetery with those who come to visit them, as a point of union," he explained.
The officials from the Asociación Artística Vizcaina, José Ramón Muro and Noemí Gonzalez, serving as the jury, agreed with Mikel, considering his work "a scene that could be without transcendence, but which provokes reflection," as indicated by Jose Ramón Muro.
Several aspects were taken into account for this decision, as they stated that not all works are evaluated equally: "in some of them it's the drawing, in others it's the perspective, the colors. It's difficult to say there's only one interpretation. Many things come together within a painting," added Noemí Gonzalez.
The City Council is open to organizing cultural activities like this, as well as concerts, short film festivals, and photography exhibitions, according to councilor Álvaro Pérez, to encourage people to "come and discover the cemetery in a different way."
Furthermore, they have new ideas to implement after the summer, including the possibility of incorporating an Escape Room, "the idea is to gather clues while you tour the cemetery," to bring all types of audiences closer to places like these.
