The Latin American Acquisitions Committee (LAAC) of the world-renowned Tate Modern in London recently concluded a significant cultural and professional exchange at the Centro León, the leading Santiago Dominican arts and culture. The Tate Modern, one of the foremost modern and contemporary art institutions globally, was represented by its LAAC members and curatorial staff.
The visit, designed to strengthen institutional ties and immerse the delegation in the country’s rich artistic landscape, culminated with the opening of the new exhibition, Destiempo.
The exhibition Destiempo explores the notion of time and its passage through the work of five late artists: Freddy Rodríguez (1945-2022), Tony Capellán (1955-2017), Jorge Pineda (1961-2023), Belkis Ramírez (1957-2019), and Quisqueya Henríquez (1966-2024). The careers of the five achieved full maturity. The exhibition argues that their passing has not halted the impulse of their work, which continues to expand as active matter and insistent thought.
Centro León hosted the Tate delegation for a full day of activities, offering an in-depth look at its collections and cultural programs. The program included a guided tour of the exhibition halls led by Centro León specialists, followed by a working session aimed at fostering future collaboration. The exchange was capped by a unique, immersive luncheon experience that celebrated local flavors and traditions, complete with a welcoming performance by a group of lechones (traditional carnival figures) from Santiago.
The Tate delegation was officially received by a team of Centro León leadership:
Dr. María Amalia León, president of the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation and Centro León
María Elena Aguayo, executive director of the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation
María Luisa Asilis, executive director of Centro León
Sara Hermann, chief curator Centro Leon
Maria Amalia León underscored the profound significance of the visit: “The importance for Centro León and the country of the Tate’s visit is immeasurable. It connects people who have decision-making power with our riches, which they may not know. Being able to show them everything we have, which is so valuable, from craftsmanship, traditions, painting, to works of art, it is our culture being exposed in the places where decisions are made. This is invaluable.”
Tobias Ostrander, adjunct curator of Latin American Art at the Tate, echoed this sentiment, praising Centro León’s international engagement. “Centro León has done excellent networking internationally, and returning with my colleagues is an honor. They were aware of Dominican art, but on this visit, they got to know it in depth. This visit is the beginning of a long investigation, and we hope it inspires other museums to understand, learn, and take the context seriously.”
About the Tate Modern’s LAAC
The Latin American Acquisitions Committee (LAAC) of the Tate Modern is a dedicated group of patrons who raise funds through donations to acquire art from Latin and North America. Founded in 2002, LAAC was the Tate’s first acquisitions committee established to expand the museum’s historical narratives beyond a Eurocentric canon.
LAAC members have been instrumental in acquiring over 300 works by more than one hundred different artists from Latin America. These pieces enter the collection of one of the world’s most visited museums and are regularly exhibited across the Tate’s UK network (Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives). The works acquired by the Committee are also frequently loaned out for major international retrospectives, group exhibitions, and biennials.
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Museos RD
Centro Leon
25 November 2025