While autobiographical practice has always been a part of Cathy Alvarez’s work, since the summer of 2020, she has embarked on a true return to her roots. During a trip to her hometown, her family history became intertwined with Spanish history. As a descendant of a maquis fighter, Cathy Alvarez met the collective of archaeologists Sputnik Labrego, which focuses on Spanish history. Together with the research team, she ventured into the maquis, retracing her ancestor’s footsteps.

To this story of ancestors are added accounts from villagers and her grandmother (via her mother and aunts). Through her work, she also introduces the story of the women who remained in the village, enduring the wrath of the Civil Guard during the dictatorship and the hardships of the war. The works resulting from this journey form the foundation of the project that will take place at La Châtaigneraie. These primarily consist of cyanotypes depicting objects found in the maquis.

During her travels, she met a cousin: Reme Remedios. By coincidence, Reme is also an artist, and in certain aspects, their artistic inquiries resonate remarkably well. They met several times, notably accompanied by Cathy’s sister, Carnita, who is also an artist. Following these meetings, intense both on a familial and artistic level, the three artists decided to collaborate in Spain on a joint exhibition.

At the beginning of 2025, they will also participate in an artist residency at the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Medioambiental (Valdelarte, Spain). During this residency, they will pool their materials and ideas to create a collective installation to be exhibited during a Land Art tour.

Finally, in spring 2025, they will reunite at La Châtaigneraie with both personal and collective works: cyanotypes on fabric through the collective work “El manto Azul” (presented in March 2024 in Madrid during the Hybrid Art Fair), videos, weavings, sculptures, installations, drawings, and paintings. The exhibition, titled “Abrazar una hoja de castaño” (To embrace a chestnut leaf), refers to their shared origins, the parallels between their cultures, and the love, transcending wars and clans, expressed through their artistic approach. The triangle formed by these three artists echoes what art represents for them: a means of expression and also of healing.