Benjamín Fernández Galindo and the MINART: Measuring their relevance and impact

Benjamín Fernández Galindo and the MINART:

Measuring their relevance and impact

December 7, 2024

Every great collection starts with a single piece, but only rarely does it grow to encompass over eight thousand.

Collecting is a blend of passion, commitment, and stubbornness, all coming together to form a collection; years of dedication, effort, and investment... only the collector knows its true value. And it's not just about monetary value, but about the value of time and hard work; a collector's vocation is almost devotional.

While this applies to any type of collection, when it comes to art, the task is more complex. It requires not only knowledge of techniques, styles, materials, artists, and trends, but also a deep understanding of the art market to make informed purchases and navigate the world of art appreciation and investment.

Few undertake this titanic task, and fewer still perfect it. The names of great collections in Mexico can be counted on one hand. Among these, the International Art Museum, or MINART, owned by Mexican collector Benjamín Fernández Galindo, stands out.

Begun in 2000 with a focus on Oaxacan art, it later expanded to Mexican art and now includes international works. Led by this visionary for 25 years, the collection never fails to impress.

Benjamín is a passionate man who doesn't just acquire art; he consumes, lives, and exudes it in every aspect of his life. His passions have been explored through a vast artistic ensemble, becoming a reflection of the man who has given so much of himself to create the largest collection of international art in western Mexico and one of the most important in the country and Latin America.

Fernández is notable not only for his collection but also for his relationships with artists and cultural agents. He has become a supportive figure and advisor to artists, even acting as a patron in various projects, which has helped to move the art scene in Jalisco and promote new talents who now exhibit in renowned spaces thanks to his support. I emphasize the genuine friendships and camaraderie he has forged with figures in the art world.

Similarly, his support for the dissemination of national art is unparalleled. Often, he doesn't receive the credit he deserves for his support of the public and the democratization of art. However, he continually shares pieces that would otherwise be inaccessible to most of us. He has made and continues to make works by world-class artists available for our enjoyment, for the society, for ordinary citizens.

He achieves this through institutions such as museums, cultural centers, and public spaces, as in the case of "Cabeza Vainilla," a monumental bronze sculpture by one of Mexico's greatest sculptors, Javier Marín. Weighing four and a half tons, it was displayed outside the University of Guadalajara's Museum of Arts for a couple of years before being moved to the plaza in front of the Convent of Santa Rosa de Viterbo in Querétaro, and later to the Plaza de las Américas in downtown Zapopan. The stories surrounding this monumental work are endless, from children using it as a slide to acts of vandalism.

Benjamin has also shared graphic works by the master Rufino Tamayo, one of Mexico's greatest artists, such as mixographies—a complex and uncommon technique perfected by the icon—for exhibition in public spaces throughout Mexico.

Similarly, we could discuss the works of Rafael Coronel, Manuel Felguérez, Francisco Toledo, Maximino Javier, among dozens of other projects that have been exhibited to wide audiences and analyzed by specialists.

For years, the works of the MINART Collection have been exhibited with the sole purpose of being enjoyed by art enthusiasts and the general public, as it reflects a personal and now museum-wide vision: Art must be shared!

I believe that the relevance and impact of Benjamín and MINART have not been fully recognized because they have always maintained a low profile, giving greater attention to the artists and institutions they support.

We need to look at the work of Benjamín and all the people behind the project. For many years, the collection has been a benchmark in the Mexican art scene and internationally.

Thank you for sharing, for letting us be part of this great experience, especially me. Thank you for everything, Benjamín.

Maythé Loza

Restorer and Gallerist

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico