Francisco Gazitúa
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Francisco Gazitúa | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1944 (age 81–82) |
| Alma mater | University of Chile |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
| Awards | National Prize for Plastic Arts (Chile) (2021) |
Francisco Gazitúa (born 1944)[1] is a Chilean sculptor known for large-scale works and public art. He was awarded the Chilean National Prize for Plastic Arts in 2021.[2]
After beginning studies in philosophy, he enrolled in 1967 at the School of Fine Arts of the University of Chile to study sculpture, where he was a student of sculptors Marta Colvin, Lily Garafulic, and Sergio Castillo.[1] In 1977, he received a scholarship to study Advanced Sculpture at Saint Martin's School of Art in England, where he trained under artists such as Anthony Caro, Tim Scott, and Philip King. In 1979, he was appointed professor at the same institution, and in 1984 he returned to Chile.[3]
Between 1996 and 1999, he led the Sculpture Department at Finis Terrae University in Chile. Since 2008, he has been part of the MetroArte commission, responsible for comissioning public artworks in the Santiago Metro.[1]
In 2012, Gazitúa, in collaboration with engineers Peter Sheffield and the MMM Group, designed and built Puente de Luz ("Bridge of Light"), a 125-meter pedestrian in Toronto, Canada.[4]
In 2017, he was named a member of the Chilean Academy of Fine Arts,[5] and in 2021 he received the National Prize for Plastic Arts.[6] In 2024, Gazitúa was recognized as one of the 50 most creative Chileans by the local edition of Forbes.[7]
In 2023, Pluma de sietecolores ("Seven-Colored Feather"), a 20-meter-high sculpture created with visual artist Angela Leible, was installed at the Pan-American Promenade in the Villa Panamericana de Santiago for the 2023 Pan American Games.[8]
He has also been a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art. Gazitúa helped found the Kornarija International Sculpture School in Kornarija, Croatia, and has taught marble sculpture in Portugal.[9]
Work
His works have been described as "revealing a poetic vision and fidelity to Andean and European cultural traditions".[10] The award citation for the 2021 National Prize for Plastic Arts (Chile) highlighted his "aesthetic vision embracing the diverse territories of our country, reflected in very distinctive local materials".[11]
In a 2022 interview with CNN Chile,[3] Gazitúa explained his interest in public art:
"My teachers here in Chile, Marta Colvin and Samuel Román, are everywhere with abstract works (…) They taught me that sculpture should not be confined to museums—it belongs in public spaces as well."[3]
Gallery
Esmeralda II in Santiago (2000)
Puente hacia Kiev in Santiago (2000)[3]
Piedra de 4 Miradas in Santiago (2015)
Pluma de sietecolores in Santiago (2023)
References
- 1 2 3 "Biografía" [Biography]. Artistas Chilenos (in Spanish). Artistas Visuales Chilenos. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- ↑ Leiva, Claudia (2021-09-06). "University highlights Francisco Gazitúa's support for project to decentralize culture". Universidad de Talca. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- 1 2 3 4 "Francisco Gazitúa, escultor: "Somos la parte de las artes visuales que estuvo y va a estar en la calle"" [Francisco Gazitúa: “Visual Arts Has Always Been—and Will Remain—on the Streets”]. CNN Chile (in Spanish). CNN Chile. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- ↑ Flack, Derek (2012-10-26). "CityPlace pedestrian bridge finally set to open". Blog To. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- ↑ Laborde, Antonia (21 August 2022). "In Francisco Gazitúa's workshop: "Sculpture has to be on the street"". El País.
- ↑ "Francisco Gazitúa awarded the National Prize for Plastic Arts 2021" [Francisco Gazitúa Wins the 2021 National Prize for Plastic Arts]. Artishock (in Spanish). Artishock. 2 September 2021.
- ↑ Forbes Staff (7 May 2024). "Forbes Chile presents a new list recognizing the 50 most creative Chileans".
- ↑ Guendelman, Rodrigo (16 September 2023). "The Villa Panamericana will be a great legacy". La Tercera. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ↑ Grande, John K. (2006-05-01). "Time, Space, and Memory: A Conversation with Francisco Gazitúa". Sculpture. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- ↑ "Francisco Gazitúa: "Sculpture was my destiny"" [Francisco Gazitúa: “Sculpture Has Always Been My Destiny”]. Fundación Antenna (in Spanish). Antenna Fundación. 2022-03-15. Archived from the original on 2024-11-10. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- ↑ "Francisco Gazitúa recibe el Premio Nacional de Artes Plásticas 2021" [Francisco Gazitúa Wins 2021 National Prize for Plastic Arts]. Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage of Chile (in Spanish). 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
