José Balmes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Balmes
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2007
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José Balmes Parramón
20 January 1927 Montesquiu, Spain
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| Died | 28 August 2016 (aged 89) Santiago, Chile
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| Nationality | Chilean |
| Alma mater | University of Chile |
| Occupation | Painter |
| Political party | Communist Party of Chile |
| Spouse(s) | Gracia Barrios |
| Children | 1 |
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José Balmes Parramón (born January 20, 1927 – died August 28, 2016) was a famous painter. He was born in Spain but later became a citizen of Chile. Balmes is well-known for his unique art style. He won Chile's National Prize for Plastic Arts in 1999. This is a very important award for artists in Chile.
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The Life of José Balmes
José Balmes was born in 1927 in a town called Montesquiu in Spain. He spent his early childhood there. In 1936, the Spanish Civil War began. Three years later, his family had to leave Spain. This was because his father, Damià Balmes, was involved in politics. He was the mayor of their town for a group called the Republican Left of Catalonia.
Moving to Chile
Balmes and his family traveled to Chile on a ship named the SS Winnipeg. The Chilean government helped many Spanish people who were leaving Spain after the war. Chile became José Balmes' new home. He finished his high school education there. In 1943, he started studying at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Chile. He learned from famous teachers like Pablo Burchard and Camilo Mori. In 1947, he officially became a Chilean citizen.
Art and Family Life
At the university, José Balmes met many other artists. One of them was Gracia Barrios, who would also win the National Arts Prize later. They got married in 1952. They had a daughter named Concepción Balmes, who also became a painter.
Balmes continued to work at the University of Chile. He taught art from 1950 to 1973. He even became the head of the Faculty of Arts from 1972 to 1973. Many students learned from him. Some of his well-known students include Patricio Court and Francisco Brugnoli.
José Balmes, along with Gracia Barrios and other artists, started an art group called Grupo Signo. They showed their art in big cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris.
Political Involvement and Exile
Balmes was a member of the Communist Party of Chile. He was very involved in politics throughout his life. He strongly supported the government of Salvador Allende. This government was called Popular Unity.
In 1973, there was a military coup in Chile. This meant the government was overthrown. Because of his political views, José Balmes had to leave Chile. He went to live in France. There, he continued his art career. He also taught as a professor at Pantheon-Sorbonne University.
Return to Chile and Recognition
In 1986, José Balmes was able to return to Chile. After his return, he received many important awards. These included the National Prize for Plastic Arts in 1999 and the Altazor Award in 2002.
In 2012, a Chilean filmmaker named Pablo Trujillo Novoa made a documentary about Balmes' life. The film was called Balmes: El doble exilio de la pintura. This means Balmes: Painting's Double Exile.
José Balmes passed away on August 28, 2016. He had been in the hospital for pneumonia.
Awards and Honors
José Balmes received many awards for his art and teaching throughout his life. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Prize of Honor at the Salon of Alumni of the School of Fine Arts (1946)
- First Prize of the Official Salon, National Museum of Fine Arts, Santiago (1951)
- Prize of Honor of the Official Salon of Santiago (1958)
- Award of the 2nd Biennale of Mexico (1960)
- Honorable Mention at the 2nd Paris Biennale for young artists (1961)
- First Prize, Mention in Painting, CRAV contest of Valparaíso (1963)
- First Prize, Mention in Drawing, American Art Biennale of Cali, Colombia (1971)
- First Prize for Engraving, International Intergrafik Exposition of Berlín, Germany (1977)
- First Prize of the Ibero-American Biennale for art on paper in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1986)
- Named Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts of the Catholic University of Chile (1993)
- Professor Emeritus of the University of Chile (1996)
- Gabriela Mistral Order of Teaching and Merit granted by the government of Chile (1997)
- National Prize for Plastic Arts, Santiago, Chile (1999)
- Altazor Award, Santiago, Chile (2002)
See also
In Spanish: José Balmes para niños
