Xavier Franquesa / Salvador Saura. Minimalist Experiments, 1968–1973
During those years both artists exchanged experiences and collaborated as part of the Gran de Gràcia group, which comprised Carles Camps, Xavier Franquesa, Jordi Pablo, Santi Pau and Salvador Saura. In 1970, Xavier Franquesa and Salvador Saura held a first exhibition at the latter’s studio, followed the next year by a show at the Sala Gaspar in Barcelona featuring all five members of the group. In 1972, Franquesa and Saura, along with the rest of the group, were invited to take part in the «Encuentros de Pamplona». In 1973, both artists considered this period of experimental artistic practice to be at an end.
Xavier Franquesa resumed his painting career in 1981, alternating between figurative and abstract work, building an extensive exhibition record at a number of prestigious galleries: Galería Ciento (Barcelona), Galería Maeght (Barcelona), Galería Egam (Madrid), Galería Vijande (Madrid), Galería Anselmo Álvarez (Madrid), and the Centre d’Art Santa Mònica (Barcelona). His work is also represented at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Madrid), the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (Barcelona), the MACBA (Barcelona), and the Fundació Vila Casas (Barcelona).
Salvador Saura, from 1976 onwards, embarked on a long career as a graphic designer and, together with Ramon Torrente, co-founded Edicions de l’Eixample, which has been a benchmark in the publishing of graphic books, artist’s books and bibliophile editions. Salvador Saura’s work is also represented in leading museums and art centres such as the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Madrid), the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (Barcelona), the Museu d’Art de Girona, and the Fundació Vila Casas.
