Astrid Pérez: Pepe was a universal artist who never stopped being deeply Canarian

Press release

The Parliament of the Canary Islands and the Royal Canary Academy of Fine Arts paid tribute on Monday to the Canarian artist Pepe Dámaso in the Golden Hall of the Literary Cabinet in Las Palmas. The ceremony gathered institutional representatives, scholars, cultural personalities and a large audience who came to honor a figure of contemporary Canarian art for a lifetime devoted to creation and the defence of the islands’ cultural identity.

Speech highlights

“Pepe Dámaso has turned the Canary Islands into a universal voice without ever renouncing his roots. His work has taught us that our land is not a border, but a starting point toward the world.” – Astrid Pérez, President of the Parliament

Pérez also stressed the artist’s human dimension and the deep connection of his oeuvre with the archipelago. She added:

“He has transformed the memory, traditions and emotional landscape of the Canary Islands into a free, profoundly brave artistic language. His work will remain an essential part of the cultural identity of these islands.”

She thanked the Royal Canary Academy of Fine Arts of San Miguel Arcángel for its collaboration, recalling that one of her first objectives in office was for the Parliament to recognise one of our most important international artists.

In an emotional closing, Pérez conveyed the collective affection of the Canarian people:

“Thank you for showing that from this archipelago we can speak face‑to‑face with international creation without ever renouncing our own voice.”

Pepe Dámaso’s response

Moved, Pepe Dámaso expressed gratitude for the honour and dedicated the tribute “to all Canarian artists who keep fighting every day in a difficult present for art and culture.” He reiterated his commitment to defending culture “as a space of freedom, memory and future.”

Tribute programme

• Projection of the documentary “Pepe Dámaso.”
• Presentation of the Triptych of Agaete by Joos van Cleve.
• Intervention by academic Juan Gómez Pamo, who highlighted the artist’s career from his early years and presented the institutional gift to Dámaso.

The ceremony concluded with a prolonged ovation from the audience after the Parliament’s award was presented, marking a moment of institutional recognition and heartfelt admiration for one of the Canary Islands’ greatest cultural references.