Recently I was fortunate enough to visit Ecuador and its capital city, Quito. While on a guided tour of the city we spent several hours at the home and art studio of the late Oswaldo Guayasamin, one of the most celebrated modern artists from Ecuador and indeed South America.
Who was Oswaldo Guayasamin?
Oswaldo Guayasamin was born in 1919 in Quito, Ecuador. He was of poor indigenous descent and had ancestry from the Quechua people. From childhood he always showed talent in art and studied at Quito School of Fine Arts. In a full life he had three wives, several children, and managed to build a life of fame and some style in his home city of Quito. In addition to art he was a lover of music and a keen guitar player.
After art school Guayasamin won several prestigious prizes and quickly built a national, regional and international reputation as an outspoken painter, sculptor and muralist with a pronounced social conscience whose work is known for its humanity, incorporating direct social and political messages.
Guayasamin died in 1999, having achieved fame throughout the Spanish speaking world and the arts world as a whole. He left behind a legacy of direct and strong paintings which continue to inspire.
Guayasamin's work
Guayasamin's work is modern and often large in scale. It shows influences of Picasso, modernism in general and is very much twentieth century art. His work often reflects the struggles and structural disadvantage of indigenous peoples and the poor in South America and by extension in the world. There is strong emphasis on themes of human rights and social justice. The work often features close ups of faces into which distress and desperation are etched.
Guayasamin's home and studio
We do not always get an opportunity to see inside an artist's home, which of course acts as a window into their life. So it was fascinating to be able to see how Guayasamin lived and worked. His home and studio are located in the hills above Quito, with stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The house is very luxurious with large open spaces, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light. Nearby is a very impressive museum of his life which he designed himself but never saw completed.
Guayasamin evidently liked to look at his own paintings, and who can blame him! His works adorn the walls of his house, as well as some works by other artists that he admired. There are also many personal items, such as photographs, books, and musical instruments and his desk, at which he presumably conducted his business.
Both the museum and the house offer a guided tour in English and Spanish, which is well worth taking. The guides are knowledgeable and passionate about Guayasamin's work and life, and they provide a fascinating insight into the artist's world.
The terraces of the house offer stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Guayasamin was known for his love of nature, and he often incorporated natural elements into his work. The terraces are a testament to this love, with beautiful gardens and fountains that create a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Guayasamin museum
It must be good to be invited to design your own museum, and Guayasamin did just that. The museum is a large, modern building with a striking design that reflects Guayasamin's artistic vision. It houses a vast collection of his works, including paintings, sculptures, and murals, as well as personal items and memorabilia from his life. It is a great way to spend some time.
The artist's larger works fit really well into such a large space. These works get better the further away you stand, and the museum allows you to do that.
The museum has its own basilica-style dome, designed of course by the artist himself. The dome is a striking feature of the museum, and it is adorned with Guayasamin's signature motifs and symbols.
Altogether the museum is a fitting tribute to Guayasamin's life and work, and it is a must-visit for anyone interested in art and culture. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and came away with a greater appreciation of Guayasamin's work and his contribution to the world of art.
