Ana Bidart's first European solo exhibition opens

Delfina Foundation is hosting a new art exhibition called "Long Before the Walls," featuring Uruguayan artist Ana Bidart. This is her first solo show in Europe. The exhibition showcases new installations and art pieces that Bidart created specifically for the Delfina house. Bidart’s work explores history, drawing, and the connections between space and time. She plans to challenge traditional views of history and express how marks and drawings reflect human experiences. She believes these simple graphics, whether a meteorite's impact or a doodle on a window, can tell compelling stories about our existence. Recently, Bidart was inspired by prehistoric rock art during a visit to Brazil. She found many fascinating handprints, which led her to think about the stories behind these marks. Her work aims to convey a sense of togetherness across time and to question the narratives that are often overlooked. During her 2023 residency at the Delfina Foundation, Bidart focused on the building's unique architecture and the history of its residents. She created "soft diaries," which are small canvases stitched together. After further research, she returned in March 2025 to expand these diaries into larger pieces called Dust Sheets, inviting audiences to interact with them. In her new exhibition, Bidart recreated parts of the Delfina building, including a handrail and a fireplace, using white materials. She experimented with different art supplies to tell the layered stories of the space. Additionally, she engaged artistically with the sounds and features of the building, replacing damaged floorboards with hand-crafted pieces. Bidart’s approach is about negotiation between structure and creativity. She transforms everyday elements into rich narratives, using a playful and imaginative method. By examining hands in cave paintings, she connects us to our ancestors and underscores the evolving nature of visual language. Ana Bidart, born in 1985, currently lives in the Yucatan Peninsula. Her work has been featured in various places across Latin America, the U.S., and Europe. She has participated in several artist residencies and has recently published a children's drawing book. The exhibition includes public programming, with a workshop and guided tours led by Bidart and curator Erin Li in early April and May. Attendance is free, but advanced booking is required.