It's located in an 18th-century manor house , surrounded by a large garden where we can take a pleasant stroll among sculptures of all kinds . We approach a strange troll, almost an ogre, shaggy-haired, who brazenly holds one of Candás's symbols: the sardine . We're startled by an enormous face lying on the ground, a monumental face like those on Easter Island. And if we look out to sea, between us and the horizon rises an abstract, cubic figure, of geometric serenity. Everything in this garden has a meaning, a name and a surname, a sculptor waiting to be discovered.
But we shouldn't become obsessed with established norms either, because although the theory and practice of proportions have been of great interest throughout history, legitimate transgressions have also been permitted to transcend those theories and practices. The Antón Museum is a showcase of artistic movements . The center is dedicated to the sculptor Antonio Rodríguez García "Antón" (1911-1937), a self-taught artist who died young and left a significant artistic legacy throughout the Principality with works such as "Sleeping Ragamuffin," "Little Girl," and "The Sailor Woman." The sculptor's heirs donated to the City Council not only sculptures but also paintings, drawings, tools, and all kinds of documents that illustrate his short but intense career. Most of the first floor, a very open and bright room, is dedicated to the permanent exhibition of Antón's work . Temporary exhibitions round out the appeal of this center, with contemporary art shows that have already featured leading artists from across Spain. The Museum also constantly strives to enhance its national prestige, boasting a collection of remarkable artistic and documentary value. Paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures, acquired through donations, deposits, and purchases, have been built into a highly significant collection, allowing it to proudly claim its status as a leading contemporary art center.
Since its opening in the late 80s, the Antón Museum has presented numerous exhibitions, many of them its own productions. It also houses a specialized library and a documentation center dedicated to Asturian artists. In its commitment to being a leading center for art in Asturias, it annually awards two grants, called the "Antón Grants ," to support, encourage, and promote artistic creation and research in sculpture.
Museo Antón opening hours
October to May: Tuesday to Friday, from 17.30 pm to 19.30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 17.30 p.m. to 19.30 p.m.
June to September: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 18 p.m. to 21 p.m.
· Guided tours and educational activities. Even outside these hours, by prior arrangement.
• Museum closure : Mondays and December 24, 25 and 31, January 1 and 6.
· Free entrance.
Source: Antón de Candás Museum.
Information:
Address:
Plaza del Cueto s / n. 33430, Candás
Telephone Number: 985 871 800
More Information: Anton Museum of Sculpture
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com























