03/09/2023
Bronze sculpture by Latin American sculptor Raúl Valdivieso (Chilean, 1931-1993). Valdivieso is known for his reinterpretation of the classic organic forms and human figures.
Raúl Valdiveso was born September 9, 1931 in Santiago, Chile. In 1952 he began his studies at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Chile. There he took to sculpture and studied under professors like Marta Colvin and Lily Garafulic. In 1957, Valdivieso left his studies in Chile and moved to Paris to continue sculpture at the Great Chaumiére and later at the École National Supérieure of Beauz-Arts. However, he quickly renounced those two schools and began studying engraving at the academy of William Hayter. Valdivieso remained in France for some years and became an assistant to Roberto Matta, sculpting works designed by the great Chilean painter and engraver. He expressed years later that with Matta he understood the role of the South American artist in the world. During his time with Matta, he also met Alberto Giacometti. In 1958, he was awarded a scholarship to the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where he took workshops from such artists as Henry Moore. In 1961, Valdivieso decided to move to Madrid in order to live and work there as a freelance sculptor. Along with working in bronze he also worked in plaster, wood and stone. He exhibited in many local and national galleries and through this process he met Claudio Bravo. The two became good, long-term friends and traveled frequently to places including Morocco, Egypt and New York. They even collaborated on a few art projects together. In 1971, Valdivieso moved to Morocco for three years, trying to connect with the North African culture, this influenced his sculpture. In 1974, Valdivieso returned to his homeland Chile, where he focused almost exclusively on stone sculpture. He created over twenty sculptures that he exhibited in 1976 at the Cultural Institutes of Las Condes to much fanfare. The same year Galeria Lolas Velasco exhibited his new sculptures in Madrid. In the 1980s he lived and worked in both Chile and in Madrid. Exhibitions (selection) 1976 Galería Iolas Velasco, Madrid 1976 Instituto Cultural de Las Condes, 1969 Galerie Buchholz, München 1969 Galería Iolas Velasco, Madrid 1967 Galerie La Balance, Bruxelles 1967 Alwin Gallery, London 1966 Salon de Mai et Salon de la Jeune Sculpture, Paris 1966 New Names in Latin American Art, Smithsonian Institute 1966 Museo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico 1966 Galerie Jacqueline Ranson, Paris 1965 VIII. Bienal de Sao Paulo 1964 Lateinamerikanische Kunstausstellung, Kongreßhalle Berlin 1964 Pan American Union, Washington 1963 Galería Neblí, Madrid.
20th Century Modern Art & Design
Open by Appointment
