Fernando Botero (Medellin 1932) is a Colombian neo-figurative artist known world-wide for his paintings and sculptures of inflated human and animal shapes. Self-titled “the most Colombian of Colombian artists” early on, coming to prominence when he won the first prize at the “Salón de artistas Colombianos” in 1959. Today is one of the most celebrated contemporary Latin American artists
Fernando Botero (Medellin 1932) is a Colombian neo-figurative artist known world-wide for his paintings and sculptures of inflated human and animal shapes. Self-titled “the most Colombian of Colombian artists” early on, coming to prominence when he won the first prize at the “Salón de artistas Colombianos” in 1959. Today is one of the most celebrated contemporary Latin American artists
His work includes still-lifes and landscapes, but Botero tends to primarily focus on situational portraiture. His paintings and sculptures are, on first examination, noted for their exaggerated proportions and the corpulence of the human and animal figures. The "large people" is what they are often called by critics. Botero explains his use of obese figures and forms thus: "An artist is attracted to certain kinds of form without knowing why. You adopt a position intuitively; only later do you attempt to rationalize or even justify it."
He is an abstract artist in the most fundamental sense of the word, choosing what colors, shapes, and proportions to use based on intuitive aesthetic thinking. This being said, his works are informed by a Colombian upbringing and social commentary is woven throughout his work.
Today Fernando Botero divides his time between Paris, New York, Mexico, Monte Carlo and Pietrasanta. His paintings, sculptures, and drawings are exhibited and represented in museum collections throughout the world.
The circus is his more recent series of work.
Selection of recent solo exhibitions
2003 The Doge´s Palace and other locations, Venice The Geemente Museum, Aja The Maillol Museum, París 2004 Botero at Ebisu, Tokyo. The Art Museum, Singapure Donación 2004 National Museum of Colombia, Bogota 2005 Abu Grahib- The Circus Palazzo Venezia, Roma 2006 Fernando Botero, Athens. 2007 The Baroque World of Fernando Botero, Quebec City 2007 Abu Ghraib Exhibit, University of California, Berkeley Botero: Abu Ghraib American University Museum 2008 Botero Abu Ghraib Centro de las Artes I Monterrey, Mexico The Baroque World of Fernando Botero Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington The Baroque World of Fernando Botero New Orleans Museum of Art Botero in Ibague Museum of art of Tolima, Ibagué Colombia 2009 The Baroque World of Fernando Botero Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis, TN
