Malba Announces the Acquisition of the Work *Paraíso* (1984) by Diana Aisenberg

Malba Announces the Acquisition of the Work Paraíso (1984) by Diana Aisenberg

In the year of its 25th anniversary, and within the framework of the 35th edition of the contemporary art fair *arteBA*, Malba announces the addition of the painting *Paraíso* (1984)—by Argentine artist Diana Aisenberg—to its collection, made possible by the museum’s Acquisitions Committee.

Buenos Aires, October 28, 2026 — In the year of its 25th anniversary, and within the framework of the 35th edition of the contemporary art fair *arteBA*, Malba announces the addition of the painting *Paraíso* (1984)—by Argentine artist Diana Aisenberg—to its collection, made possible by the museum’s Acquisitions Committee. Diana Aisenberg (Buenos Aires, 1958) is a visual artist, educator, and researcher who holds a central place in the historiography of contemporary Argentine art. Her body of work encompasses painting, drawing, performance, and installation, alongside collaborative projects deeply intertwined with extensive pedagogical work—a pioneering practice that links artistic creation, teaching, and the collective construction of knowledge, and which has contributed to the development of generations of artists from the 1980s to the present day.

*Paraíso* (1984) was featured in the artist’s first solo exhibition, *Mujeres, niñas, reinas* (“Women, Girls, Queens”), held at the Galería Adriana Indik—a space that hosted numerous experimental projects by a new generation of artists during the years of Argentina’s return to democracy. This exhibition served as an important introduction for Aisenberg, who had received her training in Israel—where she lived between 1976 and 1982—and, upon arriving in Buenos Aires, established herself within the local scene through active participation in competitions and group exhibitions. These events brought her into contact with artists and writers such as Guillermo Kuitca, Luis Frangella, Gustavo Marrone, Elba Bairon, Emeterio Cerro, Arturo Carrera, and Rosario Bléfari, among many others who shaped the prolific creative output of the 1980s.

The exhibition *Mujeres, niñas, reinas* (Women, Girls, Queens) combined painting with performance: the acrylic works were accompanied by what the artist called “live acts”—performances inspired by the paintings, enacted by a group of actors following a choreographic script. This show highlighted Aisenberg’s interest in the integration of disciplines, the concept of “expanded theater,” and a process-oriented, collective approach to work.

“Diana Aisenberg’s body of work is significant for the Malba collection for many reasons. Not only does *Paraíso* (Paradise) allow us to reconstruct the Argentine art scene of the 1980s with greater plurality, but Diana is also a key figure in the development of many young artists. This creates a very coherent narrative thread within the story of our art,” explains María Amalia García, chief curator at Malba. For her part, Elena Nofal, the museum’s Director of Development, notes: “In the year that Malba celebrates its 25th anniversary, we are proud to continue our support for arteBA—a fair with which the museum has maintained an enduring connection since 2004. This commitment was strengthened in 2012 with the creation of the Acquisitions Committee, which has since contributed—without interruption—to the growth of our collection of Latin American art. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of its members, we have added this work by Diana Aisenberg—a pivotal figure in the local art scene—to our collection; it will very soon be on view for the public to enjoy at the museum.”

*Paraíso* [Paradise] explores the performative through its figures—characterized by elusive features and period-style garments inspired by the history of Western art—set against an abstract background that heightens the fictional nature of the scene. The work reflects the interests of an era marked by intense experimental fervor, while anticipating many of the key elements that have defined the artist’s painting practice ever since: her works are expressive, convey specific emotions, and are gestural, revealing the visible traces of the brushstroke.

Furthermore, the piece reflects a recurring mystical quality in Aisenberg’s work—rich with references to classical art and biblical narratives—which imbues her subjects (people, animals, flowers, food, and basic forms) with a sacred character, and her creative processes with a ritualistic dimension. The work also navigates the interplay between figuration and abstraction, painting and literature, and symbolism and an intensified, heightened reality.

*Paraíso* belongs to a crucial transitional period in Argentina, spanning the end of the civic-military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy. A propitious moment for the emergence of alternative spaces, the formation of artist groups, and an intense period of experimentation that spanned painting, theater, music, and performance. As part of the MALBA collection, this work—the first by the artist to be added to our holdings—allows for the reconstruction of that landscape, in dialogue with pieces by artists such as Guillermo Kuitca, Marcia Schvartz, Santiago García Sáenz, and Pablo Suárez, among others.