Oswaldo Vigas facts for kids

Oswaldo Vigas (born August 4, 1926 – died April 22, 2014) was a famous Venezuelan artist. He was mostly known as a painter and muralist, even though he taught himself much of his art. His amazing work included paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, ceramics, and tapestries. Vigas created art in both France and Venezuela. He had over 100 solo art shows and his art is displayed in many public places and private collections around the world.

Early Life and Art Journey

Oswaldo Vigas was born in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela on August 4, 1926. He described himself as mestizo, which means he had a mix of native and Spanish family roots. He started painting people when he was 12 years old, after his father passed away.

He first went to college to study medicine at the University of the Andes (Venezuela) and the Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas. He hoped to become a doctor who helps children. He earned his degree in 1951. While studying medicine, he also took many art classes at the Taller Libre de Artes and the Escuela de Artes Plásticas Cristóbal Rojas. There, he met other artists like Manuel Cabré.

His first paintings often showed people, especially women. He also started painting a theme that stayed with him throughout his life: witches (called brujas in Spanish). He became very interested in old pre-Columbian cultures and their pottery, especially the ancient Venus de Tacarigua figurines.

His series of "witch" paintings helped him win three important art awards in Venezuela, even though some people didn't like them. In 1952, he won the National Visual Arts Award for his painting La gran bruja (The Great Witch). He also had a big solo show at the Museum of Fine Arts in Caracas. One of these awards gave him a plane ticket to Paris, France, where he moved in 1952.

Art in Paris and Venezuela

Creating Art in Paris

When Vigas arrived in Paris, he continued his art studies at the École des Beaux-Arts and took classes at the Sorbonne. While living in Paris, he was asked to create five mosaic murals for the Universidad Central de Venezuela. This university was later named a World Heritage Cultural Site by UNESCO in 2000 because of its unique art and architecture.

During the 1950s, Vigas's art changed. He moved away from painting people and started creating constructivist and abstract artworks. This meant his art focused more on shapes, lines, and colors rather than clear figures. In 1953, he took part in the São Paulo Art Biennial and a group show at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris. From 1953 to 1958, he showed his art regularly in France and Venezuela. In 1954, he represented Venezuela at the XXVII Venice Biennale, a very important art event.

Mural at Universidad Central de Venezuela, 1954

From the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, while still in France, Vigas was invited to a major exhibition about Latin American art. He won first prize at this show, called the Gulf-Caribbean Art Exhibition, held at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He also had shows at the Slater Memorial Museum and the University of Nebraska Art Gallery. His work was also part of a large exhibition called "South American Art Today" at the Dallas Museum of Art.

In 1955, Vigas visited the famous artist Pablo Picasso. This visit, along with his interest in anthropology and old cultures, inspired him. He started to combine different art styles in his work, including bold brushstrokes, geometric shapes, and figures. This led him to explore his own unique style, connecting with ancient cultures and his personal imagination. This style became clear in his art from the 1960s onwards.

He lived in Paris for 12 years, where he met his wife, Janine. He also became friends with other famous artists like Fernand Léger and Max Ernst. In 1964, he moved back to Valencia, Venezuela and continued to show his art all over the country. His son, Lorenzo Vigas, was born in 1967. In 1970, Oswaldo Vigas moved to Caracas.

Art in Venezuela

The 1960s were a time when Vigas explored an informalist style. In these works, his thick black lines made figures blend into abstract shapes and forms. Soon after returning to Venezuela, he became the Cultural Director of the Universidad de Los Andes. He also became the Artistic Director of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura y Bellas Artes (INCIBA). In this role, he helped promote other artists and exhibitions, and he helped create national art shows and awards. He stayed in this position until 1972.

From the mid-1960s, Vigas's art slowly moved back from abstract informalism to a new style that included figures again. In the 1980s, Vigas created many tapestries and ceramic pieces. He also made his first sculptures using bronze.

In 1990, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Caracas Sofía Imber held a large show of his works. It featured not only his paintings and sculptures but also his tapestries, ceramics, and even jewelry. A film about his art was also made by the oil company Lagoven.

In 1992, the city of Monte Carlo honored him with the Prince Rainier Grand Prize. The Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) also held a big show of his art from 1952 to 1993, displaying 132 works including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures.

In his later years, Vigas kept creating and showing his art around the world, gaining even more international fame. In 2012, he was invited to a group show called Un Coeur, un Monde (One Heart, One World), which traveled through France, the United States, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, and Japan. He was also invited to show his art at The Latin American & Caribbean Contemporary Art Today exhibition in Tokyo, Japan.

In 2008, he received a special honor from France, being named Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de France.

Later Life and Legacy

Oswaldo Vigas passed away on April 22, 2014, in Caracas, when he was 87 years old. His wife, Janine Vigas, and his son, Lorenzo Vigas (who is a director, screenwriter, and film producer), survived him.

The Oswaldo Vigas Foundation (Fundación Oswaldo Vigas) was created to keep his artistic legacy alive and share his art worldwide. A major exhibition of his work, called Oswaldo Vigas Anthological 1943-2013, traveled across the Americas to Peru, Chile, and Colombia.

His son, the filmmaker Lorenzo Vigas, won the top award, the Golden Lion, for his first movie From Afar at the 2015 Venice Film Festival.

Awards and Special Honors

Vigas received an honorary doctorate degree from the Universidad de Los Andes in 1999. He also received one from the Universidad Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho (UGMA) in Barcelona, Venezuela.

He won the International Association of Art Critics Award twice, in 2008 and 2014. In 2004, he received the Latin Union Award in Washington, D.C.

Exhibitions

Major Solo Exhibitions

A very important exhibition of Vigas's art traveled across the Americas. The first part of Oswaldo Vigas Anthological: 1943-2013 was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lima, Peru. The show then moved to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago, Chile, and later opened in Bogotá, Colombia.

Here are some of his important solo exhibitions:

Group Exhibitions

Oswaldo Vigas also participated in many group art shows with other artists. Here are a few examples:

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See also

In Spanish: Oswaldo Vigas para niños