A commitment to the new art Journeys of the avant-garde in Catalonia through the Rafael and María Teresa Santos Torroella collection Temporary exhibition

As an exhibition of openness in the face of Spain's international isolation, in the 1950s Franco's regime embarked upon a policy of supporting contemporary art through a cycle of major international exhibitions: the so-called Hispano-American Art Biennials. In total, three editions were held: in 1951 in Madrid, in 1954 in Havana and in 1955 in Barcelona.

The most advanced artists of the time participated in them, such as those belonging to Dau al Set or those who will later integrate the El Paso or Parpalló groups and the sculptors Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza, among many others, in addition to having the support and international presence of Salvador Dali.

On the other hand, the biennial held in Barcelona in 1955 included other artists from the Catalan scene linked to the October Salons of the Galleries Layetanas, the Syra or El Jardín Galleries. All this movement led to the explosion of informalism, in addition to the definitive normalisation of the avant-garde and synchronisation with international abstract art trends.