Pamplona 

Conrad Marca-Relli created "Pamplona" using collage and oil paint. The artwork's title immediately conjures the famous festival of San Fermín, held annually in Pamplona, Spain, known for its running of the bulls. But what is the public role of this art? What are the politics of imagery? And what are the social conditions that shape artistic production? Although abstract, Marca-Relli's choice of title suggests a visceral engagement with cultural spectacle. Pamplona’s forms, rendered in stark black, white, yellow and red, evoke the chaotic energy of the bullfight, the costumes and the collective fervor. It's intriguing to consider how abstract art, at this time, engaged with popular culture and national identity. To truly understand "Pamplona", research into the cultural significance of bullfighting in Spain would be essential. Marca-Relli challenges us to consider how art, even in its most abstract forms, can reflect and comment on the social structures of its time.