ESCALA Collection: A British Collection and its Connections with the Internationalization of Latin American Art

Abstract

This article analyses the ESCALA collection (Essex Collection of Art from Latin America), maintained at the University of Essex (UK), and its global role in promoting Latin American art. By examining the trajectory and conceptual basis of the collection, the study seeks to illuminate its contribution, in conjunction with other British institutions, to fostering the construction of a more global and less stereotypical perspective of Latin American art, as established from 1970 onwards by the US critical tradition. This research incorporates insights from theoretical and interpretative interdisciplinary literature while benefiting from the author’s visit to the collection in 2022. By combining scholarly resources and firsthand experience, this study aims to deepen our understanding of the collection’s significance and impact, fostering a more comprehensive perspective on Latin American art.