House Museum “Inés Córdova – Gil Imaná”
A New Cultural Landmark in the Heart of Sopocachi

La Paz welcomed a new space dedicated to artistic memory with the opening of the “Inés Córdova – Gil Imaná” House Museum, a tribute to two of the most influential creators in 20th-century Bolivian art. Located in the Sopocachi neighborhood, this new cultural institution invites the public to explore the life, work, and legacy of a couple whose contribution to national art remains vital.

Who are the artists?

Inés Córdova (1927–2010)

A pioneer in the use of mixed techniques and textures in Bolivian art, is remembered for her ability to combine Andean textile traditions with a contemporary visual language. Her most emblematic work, “La Textura de la Tierra” (The Texture of the Earth), can be found at the Central Bank Library of Bolivia in La Paz and is a masterful example of the fusion between ancestral and modern elements. Many of her other public pieces are displayed at the Ministry of Labor and the National Museum of Art.

Gil Imaná (1933–2021)

Painter, muralist, and member of the Anteo Group, dedicated his career to portraying Bolivian identity with deep social sensitivity. His most recognized mural, “Los Héroes del Chaco” (The Heroes of the Chaco), is located at the Military School “Tte. Edmundo Andrade” in La Paz, a monumental tribute to the fighters of the Chaco War. Other notable works can be found at the Legislative Palace, the Supreme Court in Sucre, and various educational institutions across the country.

 

Artistic context

Projection and Influence in Latin American Art

Both artists were part of a generation that sought to position Bolivian identity in dialogue with continental avant-garde movements. Córdova incorporated textile art into visual discourse with a pioneering approach, recognized in exhibitions in Mexico, Peru, and Europe. She was one of the first to revalue indigenous elements through contemporary abstraction. Imaná, in turn, shared spaces with renowned Latin American muralists and was invited to represent Bolivia in biennials and international cultural forums. His deeply socially engaged work resonates with movements like Mexican muralism and the new South American critical realism. From Bolivia, both artists helped expand Latin America's visual language, rooted in the Andes.

 

 

The House as a Museum

The residence where Córdova and Imaná lived has been carefully adapted to preserve its original atmosphere. This is not a traditional museum with cold, impersonal galleries, but an intimate space that invites visitors to experience art through the personal lens of its creators. Original furniture, sketches, journals, photographs, work tools, and a personal library reveal the intellectual world of both artists.

The museum features several rooms exhibiting more than 50 works, including paintings, murals, textile collages, ceramics, and drawings—many of them never before shown. Visitors can also explore documents, letters, and manuscripts that provide context to the artists’ creative processes and daily lives.

 

Highlighted pieces include:

    • “Camino de Andinos,” a series by Córdova that merges textile art with painting on linen.
    • Preparatory sketches for “Los Héroes del Chaco.”
    • Charcoal portraits made by both artists in the 1970s.
    • Ceramic works with textile inlays by Córdova.
    • Color and structural studies for public murals.
    • An unpublished polyptych by Imaná titled “Mitos y Mineros” (Myths and Miners), depicting social conflict in the Bolivian highlands.
    • Personal correspondence between the two artists, including reflections on art and country.

 

Location

The House Museum is located at Rosendo Gutiérrez Street No. 554 (see on the map), between Ecuador Avenue and Aspiazu Street, in the heart of Sopocachi. Easily accessible from downtown La Paz, it is surrounded by cafés, cultural centers, and bookstores.

 

Visiting Hours

Open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Admission is free, though voluntary donations are welcomed to help maintain the space. Guided tours are available by reservation, along with workshops, talks, and temporary exhibitions by contemporary artists.

 

Sopocachi: From Bohemian to Cultural Hub

The museum is located in the heart of Sopocachi, a La Paz neighborhood with a unique soul. Known throughout the 20th century as a haven for writers, musicians, and painters, Sopocachi has long been the city’s bohemian epicenter. Its republican architecture, cobbled streets, cafés, and cultural venues reflect this artistic and diverse past.

Today, with the opening of the “Inés Córdova – Gil Imaná” House Museum, Sopocachi reaffirms its role as a cultural district where the memory of Bolivian art remains alive and open to the public. This new space not only preserves the legacy of two great creators but also inspires future generations to discover the power of art as an expression of identity.

References

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House Museum “Inés Córdova – Gil Imaná”