“Abu-Power,” now on view at Hotel El Fuerte and Es.Arte Gallery, is more than a pictorial series—it’s a movement that restores the symbolic power of maturity. In an age obsessed with stopping time, Marifé Núñez reminds us that true luxury is to live it fully.
In a world that worships youth as the only synonym for beauty, Spanish artist Marifé Núñez challenges stereotypes with irony and color. Her series “Abu-Power” (2024–2025) — currently exhibited at Es.Arte Gallery within Hotel El Fuerte Marbella — is a declaration of strength, humor, and freedom. A visual hymn to the power of mature femininity, it celebrates women who claim their right to keep enjoying, living, and, above all, shining.
In her works, the protagonists surf, ride motorcycles, ski, or simply relax by the sea with a mojito in hand. They don’t hide their wrinkles; they wear them as medals of life. “My ‘grannies’ are symbols of energy, joy, and authenticity,” Núñez explains. “They don’t represent old age as a loss, but as a new opportunity for fulfillment.”
Art as a Mirror of Freedom
Inspired by thinkers such as Anna Freixas and Ana Hardisson Rumeu, Núñez uses art to challenge ageism, a bias still deeply rooted in society. Far from the passive image often assigned to older women, her Abus — as she affectionately calls them — embody a radiant, stylish freedom.
Her visual language is unmistakable: expressive faces, large eyes brimming with life, and a vibrant palette that balances humor with sophistication. Núñez also incorporates symbols of contemporary luxury — iconic handbags, designer swimwear, and oversized sunglasses — to playfully critique the culture of glamour. Her women don’t imitate fashion; they reinvent it through authenticity, merging elegance and liberation in a single gaze.
Diana, Holiday in Spain: A Tribute to the Eternal Summer
Among her newest works, “Diana, Holiday in Spain” stands out as a tribute to British actress Diana Dors, who stayed at Hotel El Fuerte in the 1960s. With this piece, Marifé Núñez revives Marbella’s golden age, bringing its spirit of glamour and freedom into the present. The painting captures the essence of Abu-Power: confident, radiant women who embrace the sun and life without fear of time.
Each edition — numbered and hand-signed by the artist — combines depth, irony, and a touch of Mediterranean joie de vivre, where the classic and the contemporary meet effortlessly. “I wanted to capture the vibrant energy of that elegant 1960s Marbella,” says Núñez, “but reinterpreted through the eyes of today’s mature, powerful woman.”
From Marbella to the World
The exhibition “Abu-Power” can currently be visited at Es.Arte Gallery and Hotel El Fuerte Marbella, in collaboration with the Fundación Fuerte. The hotel and its foundation have become key supporters of this project, bringing Núñez’s art closer to an international audience. Many collectors and hotel guests have discovered in this series a reason to smile in Spain — and to take home a unique memory of Marbella — whether through an original paintingor a limited edition print, available in two formats, all numbered, signed, and certified by the artist.
Today, Núñez’s work forms part of private collections across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Her art not only celebrates life — it questions conventions, redefines femininity, and restores the joy of aging with style.
