Gaston Orellana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gaston Orellana
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Gaston Orellana, photograph by Mimmo da Brescia, courtesy of Edizioni d'Arte Severgnini
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| Born | 18 July 1933 |
| Education | Escuela de Bellas Artes de Viña del Mar, Chile; Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Royal Academy, London |
| Known for | painting |
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Notable work
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The Train in Flames, Crucifixion no 1, Triptico en forma de T Invertida |
| Movement | Neo-figurative, Post-conceptualism |
Gaston Orellana is a famous painter from Spain and Chile. He was born on July 18, 1933, in Valparaiso, Chile. His parents were Spanish, and his father was a diplomat. Even though he was born in Chile, Gaston comes from an old Spanish family called Orellana la Vieja. He has lived in many countries, including Spain, Italy, the United States, the UK, and France.
Early Life and Art Beginnings
Gaston Orellana was born in Valparaiso because his father was working there as a Spanish diplomat. His brothers and sisters were also born in other countries where his father worked.
Gaston first studied art at an experimental school in Santiago. Then, he went to the School of Fine Arts in Viña del Mar. He also became very good at playing the violin there.
In 1954, Orellana met Pablo Neruda, a famous poet. They became very close friends. Neruda even wrote a poem about Orellana's art, saying it was "as alive as a life."
Gaston also studied archaeology and anthropology at the Universidad de Chile. He traveled a lot to study old cultures in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. These trips greatly influenced his artwork later on.
After his studies, Orellana moved to Spain. He lived in Majorca for a short time, then settled in Madrid. In Madrid, he helped start an art group called Grupo Hondo in 1959.
His early paintings often used dark colors like black and gray. They showed figures that were expressive but not always clear. The Grupo Hondo group believed in "Neo-figuration." This means they painted figures in a new, modern way, often showing deep feelings. During this time, Orellana's art became more colorful and textured.
New York Adventures
In 1964, Orellana showed his art at the opening of the Juana Mordó Gallery in Madrid. The next year, he moved to New York City. New York was a very exciting place for artists. He met many famous people there, like the Duke of Bedford, art expert James Johnson Sweeney, musician Bob Dylan, writer Arthur Miller, and poet Allen Ginsberg.
In 1966, he started working with Martha Jackson, an art dealer in New York. She helped him connect with important art movements. In 1969, Orellana joined Allen Ginsberg and other artists in protests against the Vietnam War. He also gave lectures and wrote articles against war in New York magazines.
In 1970, Gaston Orellana represented Spain at a big art show called the XXV Venice Biennale in Italy. One of his most famous works, Train in Flames, was shown there. It's a huge painting made of three parts. A famous art collector named Joseph Hirshhorn bought this painting and other works. Train in Flames is now a permanent part of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C.
His paintings from this time often showed strong emotions and sometimes violence. But they also had a beautiful, poetic side. His art combined his Spanish background, American influences, and his knowledge of ancient cultures. This mix led to new ideas in his work.
Recent Artistic Journeys
In 1984, Orellana moved back to Europe. He lived and worked in Madrid, Spain, and Albisola, Italy. In 1985, he moved to Riva del Garda, Italy. This was a very productive time for him. Many important art critics and politicians visited him there.
In 1993, Orellana and his family moved back to Spain, settling in Trujillo. Then, in 2000, they moved to France, where he still lives and creates art today.
His art has been shown in many important exhibitions. In 1986, the Museo Español de Arte Contemporaneo in Spain showed his works. In 1991, he had a big exhibition at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum in Taiwan. An art critic said his 1995 exhibition in Vigo, Spain, showed his new artistic ideas. A famous art dealer even said Orellana was one of the most interesting Spanish artists since Antoni Tàpies and Joan Miró.
Orellana's recent works are different from his New York paintings. He uses huge canvases and a technique called "graffito." This is where he scrapes paint off the canvas to show the background. He also adds different materials like metal and old mirrors to his art.
The Archivo Gastón Orellana was started in 2018. It helps protect and share Gaston Orellana's art and ideas.
See also
In Spanish: Gastón Orellana para niños
