An unexpected find
Old documents, lost suitcases and archive boxes have revealed unknown parts of history over time. Recently, a new set of documents has arrived at the Garraf Comarcal Archive, thanks to the efforts of the descendants of Estanislau Vallverdú Villalonga, better known as LAU, who was born and lived in Vilanova i la Geltrú.
The Impact of an Artistic Life
LAU, born in 1904, was an artist with a truncated destiny. His career, which included theatrical and graphic expressions, is now at the center of an exhibition that highlights his work and life, held at the Contemporary Art Center La Sala. Directed by cartoonist Jaume Capdevila “Kap”, the exhibition underlines the importance of LAU, a man who tried to communicate his artistic vision in a time of political turbulence.
Passions and Commitment
Throughout his short but intense life, LAU worked in the Pirelli factory and felt a deep passion for theater and drawing. With a professional career that began in the late twenties, he made a name for himself through collaborations with publications such as ‘Democracia’, where he contributed his cartoons critical of the politicians of the time and the events that surrounded
Between War and Creation
LAU’s rise as an artist was quickly overshadowed by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. His defense of republicanism and his commitment to political freedom led him to continue collaborating with ‘Democracy’ until, in 1938, he was mobilized. The last known news about him comes from a concentration camp in Pontevedra, where he lost his life, a sad conclusion to an artistic career that should never have ended so soon.
The Exhibition: A Living Reminder
The exhibition dedicated to LAU is not only a testimony to his work, but also an invitation to reflect on the importance of preserving historical memory. The exhibited documents provide a vision of his world, a creative space that was rejected by the circumstances of the war and political rejection, and that can now be publicly appreciated again.
Activities and Space for Reflection
To complement the exhibition, a conference has been organized by Aram Monfort on Franco’s repression in Catalonia, as well as a guided tour led by Jaume Capdevila “Kap”. These initiatives not only deepen the history of LAU, but also serve to educate the public about the consequences of the conflict in Catalan society.
A Legacy That Continues
The exhibition, which can be visited until September 15, represents not only an act of recovery from a past full of injustices, but also a tribute to the cultural heritage left to us by a committed artist. The history of LAU reminds us that each piece of art is a reflection of the struggles and hopes of a time, which deserve to be remembered forever.
