Artist Lope Campos transforms an ordinary plastic spoon into a powerful symbol of social exclusion in his exhibition 'Not Just Spoons'. The display, hosted at the Provincial Public Library of Jaén, uses this utensil to depict situations of hunger, anguish, loneliness, and helplessness, with the goal of provoking deep reflection in viewers.
This initiative, donated by Campos to Cáritas Diocesana de Jaén, serves a dual purpose: to raise awareness of the vital work the organization does with vulnerable individuals and to raise funds to sustain its solidarity programs. This marks the second time the exhibition has come to Jaén, following its initial presentation in 2012, and it has also been shown in Jerez de la Frontera.
“"The protagonist spoon is made of plastic, which is like a vulnerable person. They work very well because they have no gender, no age, no region, no ethnicity, no color."
Lope Campos explained that each photograph recreates everyday scenes, complemented by simple yet highly symbolic elements. The artist emphasized that, despite addressing difficult realities, the exhibition's message is not defeatist but aims to showcase the situations where Cáritas provides support and hope.
The territorial delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sport of Jaén, José Ayala, visited the exhibition alongside the artist, the director of Cáritas Diocesana de Jaén, Rafael Ramos, and the director of the Library, Encarnación Moreno. Ayala praised Campos as a "genius" and encouraged the people of Jaén to visit the exhibition for its "profound message". Ramos, for his part, expressed gratitude for Campos' talent being used to make visible realities that are often ignored.
The exhibition is open to the public from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and on Saturdays, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Additionally, every Wednesday at 7:00 PM, Lope Campos himself will conduct guided tours to delve into the meaning of each artwork.
