The Art Scene of Loja Ecuador

"Expansion" ARTIST - José Vicente Larrea Palacio Graphic designer explores movement by creating works with impossible "MC Escher" style lines and spaces flowing into each other. José studied art and graphic design at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL). "Patrones" facebook.com/josevicente.larreapalacio jvlpdesign.dibujando.net/galeria instagram.com/jvlp1991

"Rosa Parks" ARTIST - Salomé Jiménez Proving that people with artistic talent can express their passion in more than one way, Salomé studies art and design as well as theater at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL). "Working daily in what I like and am passionate about is a true blessing. Letting the inspiration and constant work inside my mind be reflected in a work of art that will be admired and praised by those who observe it is a real satisfaction. That's one of the reasons why I chose to take the art and design career." "Yo soy más bonita" "I am prettier" facebook.com/salome.jimenez instagram.com/salomejimenez

ARTIST - Bayardo Cuenca   (1966 - ) Having studied art at both the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) and at Universidad Nacional de Loja (UNL), Bayardo Cuenca could be considered one of the deans of sculpture in Loja.  His is a very personal vision of figurative clay modeling.  Often with intricate multi-chrome glazes, Bayardo's small but instantly recognizable pieces are usually no more than a foot and a half in height.  Bayardo describes his plump figures as having a “stylized volume” which attempt to occupy all available space, and thus do not "fit" into the standard [aesthetic] canon.  He appears to introduce a third term that does not conform to the usual representational polarity of beauty versus beast or monstrosity.  The sculptor hopes “…that a non-ideal canon can become beautiful….”   For Bayardo, "Joy is the essence of a work of art with a volume that overflows its limits." facebook.com/bayardo.cuenca ins...

"Dance of the Duendes" from the 2017 exhibition "My Free Thought" ARTIST - Alívar Villamagua   (1947 - ) 71-year-old Lojano Alívar Villamagua Montesinos is an internationally known talent who has been painting for 50 years.  In an interview with the newspaper El Diaro Cronica, Villamagua said of his early interest in drawing and painting as an expression of his feelings, "My first sketches I did in school where I noticed simple things like watching a butterfly fly or observing the moon." After graduating in 1970 as a painter and sculptor from the Escuela de Fine Arts of the State University of Cuenca, Villamagua returned to Loja.  He married, had a family, and founded the first school of fine arts in the province.  He eventually became a professor and then director of the School of Fine Arts of at the National University of Loja. Known for producing highly expressive and dream-like images of his beloved local landscape and its inhabitants in p...

ARTIST - Boris Salinas Tom á s Ochoa   (1971 - ) Boris eschews the internet in favor of one-on-one interactions with individuals and the public. A prolific sculptor, he loves to share his studio and knowledge with numerous students, mentoring their innate abilities into refinement. Working from his compound housing hand-built, uniquely decorated studios and residences for his extended family, Boris has pursued his passion since leaving the arts program at UTPL, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja.  See the post about " Artist Designed Houses " for more on the Salinas compound. Boris is a painter, but mainly does figurative sculpture in fine terra-cotta clay available from the surrounding hills.  The 46-year-old artist's social realism, known for very fine work, especially in the fabric folds and other clothing items, packs an impossible amount of detail into his typical 15 inch piece.  He says his influences are as diverse as Michelangelo, Velázquez, and ...

First (of two) rooms in the gallery GALLERY - La Guadaña de la Hora Zero Gallery space, also a school for teaching art techniques to children. Artist Lilibeth Poma (Lilo) is the teacher and has a studio in the rear of the complex. Gabriel Villalta is the gallery owner. Opposite wall of the first room showing one of the hallways leading to the second gallery space Sucre (191-29) between Quito and José Félix de Valdivieso - located up the stairs on the second floor

One of many artist-built mosaics lining the interior garden walls Artist Designed House - Salinas Brothers' Compound Brothers Boris and Aquiles Salinas have constructed one of the most unique artist residences within Loja, with each adding their own special touches according to their artistic talents. Both men adhere to a philosophy of living gently on the earth, which translates into using mainly found materials for construction and decoration. Boris's pottery studio is open to the exterior, allowing nature to penetrate within. Of special note is the fact that Boris mentors numerous students by allowing them access to his studio. Adjoining the studio is a newly opened art gallery - works of art by Boris and his children are available for sale here. Aquiles's painting studio - "Iki Arte" - is located on the second floor, where the expansive windows command a great view of the southern part of Loja. Aquiles's wife and daughter are also artists in th...