Work Held in Public / Institutional Collections
Created as a tribute to the city’s artistic legacy, La Reina de Talavera draws inspiration from Talavera’s renowned ceramics - their signature blue and yellow palette, ornamental motifs, and flowing sense of movement. The figure’s skirt becomes the Tajo River, her waist adorned with the iconic Roman bridge, while behind her rises the modern suspended bridge — symbols of balance between heritage and progress. Across her chest, delicate ceramic-inspired patterns evoke the artistry of the city’s pottery tradition, connecting her body to the craft that defines Talavera’s identity.
At her knees rests a butterfly with eyes - a self-portrait of sorts, representing my own presence within the piece. Beneath it, the two flowers symbolize my sister and niece, who live in Talavera and opened their doors to me. The figure holds her skirt as if offering shelter, while flowers bloom from the cracks in her body, revealing how protection, fragility, and renewal can coexist.
This piece carries profound emotional meaning for me. My mother and all my sisters now live in Talavera - part of the great exodus from a country that has been breaking apart, Venezuela. Through this painting, a part of me remains there too - stitching us together across distance. La Reina de Talavera represents not only the heritage and soul of the city, but also a moment of return and reunion, shared with my mother and husband after seven years away.
The painting was officially presented as a gift to the people of Talavera during a ceremony at the Centro Cultural Rafael Morales, where I also held an exhibition of my work. The event, attended by members of the city council and local cultural leaders, marked the formal handover of the piece to the city’s public collection. The center - a historic landmark dedicated to Talavera’s artistic and cultural life — became the setting for this moment of gratitude and connection. The painting now resides in one of the city’s cultural buildings, as a lasting symbol of family, belonging, and renewal.
La Reina de Talavera was also featured in Castilla-La Mancha Media (TV) and La Tribuna de Toledo, celebrating both its artistic symbolism and cultural significance to the region.
La Reina de Talavera
Talavera de la Reina, Castilla La Mancha, Spain