The Zaragoza-born artist Ira Torres has been awarded the prestigious «Casa de Velázquez» plastic and visual arts scholarship from the Zaragoza Provincial Government. This recognition, valued at €25,000, will allow her to develop her project «Neonarcissism. Myths and Mainstream» for a year at the Casa de Velázquez–Académie de France in Madrid, an environment conducive to creation and artistic exchange.
The “Casa de Velázquez” Scholarship from the Zaragoza Provincial Government
The «Casa de Velázquez» plastic and visual arts scholarship is one of the most sought-after in the artistic field, organized by the Zaragoza Provincial Government. It offers artists the opportunity to work on an exclusive project for a year in Madrid, fostering interaction with other creators. Since its inception in 1989 with Pepe Cerdá, it has benefited numerous artists such as Antón Jodrá and Gema Rupérez. In recent editions, names like Alejandro Ramírez and María Roja have been awarded, solidifying the scholarship as a pillar of support for Aragonese culture.
The Winning Project: “Neonarcissism. Myths and Mainstream”
Ira Torres, born in Zaragoza in 1991, presents an innovative project that engages with classical myths and contemporary mainstream culture. Inspired by «The Age of Emptiness» by Gilles Lipovetsky, she uses materials such as alabaster and bronze to explore self-perception in a hyperconnected world. Her work combines traditional and contemporary techniques, reflecting on identity in the digital age and the tension between the physical self and the digital avatar.
Career and Education of Ira Torres
Trained in Fine Arts in Zaragoza, Salamanca, and Madrid, Ira Torres has received several awards, including the Second Prize for Painting from the Fundación Ibercaja in 2025 and the First Prize of Arte Aparte in 2020. She has exhibited at national and international fairs and collaborated with renowned galleries. Her proposal «Feat. Poject» stands out for its collaboration with global artists, enriching her work with diverse influences.
The Casa de Velázquez scholarship for the 2026–2027 period will allow Torres to develop «Neonarcissism. Myths and Mainstream» in an environment of creation and artistic exchange, reaffirming the commitment of the Zaragoza Provincial Government to the art and culture of the region.
