The world of contemporary art has been profoundly enriched by the contributions of Anna Turbau, Elena Asins, and Narelle Jubelin. These three visionary women, each with distinct styles and focuses, have expanded the boundaries of photography, computational art, and textile-based installations, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene.
Anna Turbau: A Photojournalist Rooted in Realism
Born in Barcelona in 1949, Anna Turbau is a renowned photojournalist whose work captures the pulse of socio-political realities through striking black-and-white imagery. Her career began with a pivotal assignment for Interviú magazine, documenting the squatting of an apartment in Barcelona—a project that ignited her passion for photography and photojournalism.
Turbau’s photographic style is characterised by bold contrasts, symbolic framing, and expressionist optical effects. Influenced by legendary photographers such as Cristina García Rodero, Robert Doisneau, and Robert Frank, she often draws comparisons to her contemporaries Pilar Aymerich and Manel Armengol.
One of Turbau’s most significant periods was her work in Galicia between 1975 and 1979, where she chronicled the region’s political and social transitions during Spain’s transition to democracy. Her portfolio includes nearly 10,000 negatives, documenting events such as the demonstrations for Galician autonomy and the aftermath of the Marbel shipwreck. Her work remains a powerful testament to a pivotal era in Spanish history, with several pieces housed in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Today, Turbau splits her time between Barcelona and Calatañazor, and her influential book Galicia, 1975-1979, published in 2017, continues to highlight her unique ability to capture moments of profound human emotion and historical significance.
Elena Asins: A Pioneer of Algorithmic Art Elena Asins (1940–2015) was a trailblazing Spanish artist and theorist, renowned for her pioneering work in computational art. Born in Madrid, she pursued an eclectic education, studying at institutions such as the University of Stuttgart, Columbia University, and the New School for Social Research in New York, where she delved into the intersection of computer science and art.
Asins’s work is celebrated for its mathematical precision and timeless coherence. She was among the first to explore the use of algorithms in visual art, beginning her groundbreaking experiments in 1967. Her conceptual works, often executed in two and three dimensions, explore themes of structure, order, and the intersection of art and urban planning.
A prolific writer and lecturer, Asins participated in over 40 solo exhibitions worldwide, and her works are held in numerous public and private collections. Her contributions to contemporary art earned her Spain’s prestigious Gold Medal for Fine Arts in 2006. Asins’s enduring legacy lies in her ability to merge computational processes with artistic expression, challenging traditional notions of aesthetics and redefining the role of technology in art.
Narelle Jubelin: Interweaving History and Culture Australian artist Narelle Jubelin, born in Sydney in 1960, has established herself as a unique voice in contemporary art through her petit-point embroidery and multimedia installations. Co-founder of Sydney’s Firstdraft Gallery, Jubelin has lived and worked in Madrid since 1996, creating works that bridge Australian history with global cultural narratives.
Jubelin’s petit-point embroideries reinterpret historically charged photographs, using meticulous stitching to slow the viewer’s engagement with the image. Her process emphasises the journey of objects and their cultural translations, layering meaning through exhibition settings and the geographical movement of her works.
Jubelin’s career spans over two decades, with exhibitions at the Venice Biennale (1990), the Hayward Gallery in London (1992), and Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid. Her solo shows have included the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney and Casa Encendida in Madrid. Through her intricate works, Jubelin invites viewers to reconsider history, identity, and the intimate connections between materials and narratives.
A Shared Legacy of Innovation and Impact Despite their distinct mediums and approaches, Anna Turbau, Elena Asins, and Narelle Jubelin share a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and addressing complex socio-political and cultural themes. Their works challenge traditional norms, inviting audiences to engage deeply with art’s power to document, innovate, and inspire. Through photography, computational design, and textile art, these three women have left an enduring mark on the art world, continuing to influence future generations of creators and thinkers.