Miquel Barceló facts for kids
Miquel Barceló Artigues (born in 1957) is a famous Spanish painter. He is known for his unique style and large-scale art projects. His work often includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics.
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Early Life and Art Journey
Miquel Barceló was born in Felanitx, a town on the island of Mallorca, Spain. He started studying art at the Arts and Crafts School of Palma. Later, in 1974, he briefly attended the Fine Arts School in Barcelona.
Finding His Style
After returning to Mallorca, Barceló joined an art group called "Taller Llunàtic." This group was known for its protest art and experimental ideas. He also helped create their art magazine, Neon de Suro.
In 1976, Barceló had his first art show at the Palma Museum. Early in his career, he was inspired by different art movements. These included Avant-garde art, Art Brut (raw art), and American abstract expressionism. Artists like Jackson Pollock had a big impact on him. He also admired older Baroque painters such as Diego Velázquez, Tintoretto, and Rembrandt.
Travel and Inspiration
Throughout the 1980s, Barceló traveled a lot. He visited many places in Europe, the United States, and West Africa. Paris became like a second home to him, where he set up another art studio. His travels, especially his time in West Africa, greatly influenced his artwork.
In 1982, he gained international attention when he showed his art at "Documenta 7" in Kassel, Germany.
Major Art Projects
Miquel Barceló is famous for his large and impressive art projects. He often works with different materials and in various locations.
Art in Naples
In 1983, Barceló lived in Naples, Italy, for five months. There, he created artworks using volcanic ash. These pieces were shown at an exhibition. He also contributed to a special art collection called Terrae Motus. This collection was created after an earthquake in 1980. His work, L'ombra che trema (The Trembling Shadow), is now displayed at the Royal Palace of Caserta. He said it was a self-portrait of himself in the act of painting.
Awards and Recognition
In 1986, Barceló received Spain's National Award for Plastic Arts. This is a very important award for artists in Spain.
Dante's Divine Comedy and Palma Cathedral
In 2004, Barceló's beautiful watercolors were shown at the Louvre Museum in Paris. These paintings illustrated Dante's famous book, Divine Comedy.
He also created a stunning work for the Chapel of Sant Pere in Palma Cathedral. He covered the entire chapel with terracotta clay. He decorated it with images from the Bible, showing the miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish. This theme was chosen because the chapel is dedicated to the Last Supper.
Stage Design and United Nations Ceiling
Barceló has also worked on stage designs. In 1990, he designed the costumes and sets for the opera El retablo de maese Pedro in Paris. In 2006, he was part of a performance with a choreographer at the Festival d'Avignon.
One of his most impressive works is at the United Nations Palace of Nations in Geneva. In 2008, the Spanish government officially presented this huge art piece. It is a massive sculpture on the domed ceiling of the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Chamber. The artwork covers 1500 square meters and looks like colorful stalactites dripping from the ceiling. Barceló used 100 tons of paint for this project!
Teaching and Current Representation
In 2010, Barceló was invited to teach a workshop at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Versailles.
Today, Miquel Barceló's art is shown by several galleries around the world. These include Tobias Mueller Modern Art in Zürich, Galerie Bruno Bischofberger in Zürich, and Acquavella Galleries in New York City.
In 2017, he was elected a vice-president of CISAC. Also in 2017, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Salamanca. This was part of the celebration for the university's 800th anniversary.
Exhibitions
- 2011: Les Rencontres d'Arles Festival, France.
Images for kids
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Sculpture in the cathedral La Seu, Palma, Mallorca
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"Gran elefant dret" ("Great elephant standing") 2009, Barcelona
See also
In Spanish: Miquel Barceló para niños
