2023-08-01 07:15:00
Oswaldo Viteri (Ambato, 1931- Quito, 2023), one of the great Spanish-American painters of the 20th century, has died. The fortitude with which he faced the risks of his art, his intrepidity in reaching the edge of the abyss, is hardly equaled in our visual arts. An example of artistic and moral bizarreness, his work bears witness to ancient evidence: the genuine subdues all influences, transfigures them and uses them to resolve powerful and unique propositions.
Viteri’s artistic adventure will not cease to amaze. His series cover all genres and are born under the motto of rigor and the search for truth. Viteri had the secret of flight, without losing that of the earth, the point of gravity of the deepest inspiration. After a figurative cycle (charcoal drawing and inks), he found sovereign elements, unruly at first, submissive later, for his abstract one that lasted for a period of the 1960s.
But Viteri was a genius and couldn’t stand ties. Tumultuous and arrogant, his sign was to advance. Free in his imperious sense, who could advise him in this succession of choices of his visual creation: oils, drawings, inks, ensembles, sanguine, portraits, performances, installations?
We founded friendship in the 60s. In the 80s I published the book VITERI, rather modest; It was his favorite, among others of splendid invoice. We were able to engrave his name in the main room of the Museum of Colonial Art and nominate him for the Prince of Asturias Award, as well as present three great exhibitions of his work. I think I am one of those who came closest to his art and he was the artist who most illustrated my word. Our bond was that of a deep and irrevocable friendship.
Of two brothers, there is one who will see him die. And “when that death arrives, it is not only the end of someone but of something total”. That is why there is no duel possible. As the absence of mourning unhinges whoever remains, only the mourning state allows the integration of the other’s death into one and the continuation of life.
#Viteri #Trade