“Estado Fotográfico. Julia Toro”: An Exhibition of Chilean Photography at Museo Lázaro Galdiano

This exhibition at Museo Lázaro Galdiano, in collaboration with PHotoESPAÑA, showcases over 60 works by Chilean photographer Julia Toro, exploring themes of human vulnerability, everyday life, and subtle eroticism. The collection offers an intimate yet collective testimony of her decades-long artistic exploration.

“Estado Fotográfico. Julia Toro” at the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, presented in collaboration with PHotoESPAÑA, features a significant body of work by the influential Chilean photographer Julia Toro. This exhibition, her first in Spain, comprises over 60 pieces that delve into themes of vulnerability, human connection, memory, and the quiet beauty found in daily life. Toro's images, often captured in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship, reveal resilience and intimacy amidst a silenced country, documenting gatherings, family moments, and personal interactions with a profound sense of care and affection. The collection highlights expressive details of everyday occurrences – a pair of heels, a bare leg, a pipe – eschewing explicit denunciation for a more nuanced portrayal of existence. The exhibition also touches upon the eroticism present in Toro's oeuvre, notably her cultivation of the male nude, a theme less explored by female photographers. Critic Claudio Bertoni describes her work as passionate and intimate, never cruel, always in love with her subjects, and devoid of judgment or exploitation. Curator Rodrigo Gómez Rovira notes that Toro's style explores human vulnerability and family life without explicit denunciation, creating an intimate and collective testimony. For Toro, the "photographic state" is a way of explaining her feelings and observing reality, a practice that extends beyond photography into writing, drawing, and painting, reflecting her deep engagement with existence itself. The exhibition is organized by the Museo Lázaro Galdiano with support from various Chilean cultural institutions.

Admission to this exhibition is included with the general museum ticket. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, with extended hours on Tuesdays to Fridays. Please check the museum's official website for specific opening times and ticket purchase details, as the exhibition is part of the museum's general admission offering without additional cost to the ticket price itself. Visiting hours are from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM and additionally from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, with a closure on Mondays and holidays. This exhibition is organized by PHotoESPAÑA in collaboration with the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, and supported by various Chilean government cultural departments and the Chilean Embassy in Spain. Some thematic elements may be sensitive, and parental guidance may be advised for younger visitors; please consult museum staff for further information. The exhibition takes place in the pórtico, gallery, and guest art room spaces within the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, located in Madrid, Spain, and forms part of the PHotoESPAÑA festival program for 2025, aligning with the museum's commitment to presenting significant contemporary and historical art forms to the public. The visitor experience is designed to be immersive, allowing guests to engage deeply with Toro's unique perspective and artistic vision through thoughtfully arranged displays and contextual information provided throughout the exhibition space, encouraging reflection on the portrayed themes and the artist's distinctive approach to visual storytelling and personal documentation. Special attention has been paid to the accessibility of the exhibition, ensuring that individuals with diverse needs can fully appreciate the artworks and their underlying messages, reflecting the museum's dedication to inclusivity and public engagement with diverse forms of artistic expression and cultural heritage from around the globe, particularly focusing on Latin American contributions to the global art scene. The exhibition is scheduled to run from September 11th to November 9th, 2025, offering a limited window for visitors to experience this significant collection of work by one of Chile's most important photographers, further cementing its status as a must-see event for photography enthusiasts and art lovers alike during its run.