Guillermo Silva Santamaria
1921
Guillermo Silva Santamaria was born in Bogota, Columbia
in 1921. His studies were pursued in schools and graphic arts workshops
throughout Latin America, the United States and Europe. For the past
twenty years he has been a leading exhibitor in the finest galleries of
the world. His awards and prizes are innumerable; his work is in
virtually al important public and private collections of contemporary
graphics. As a teacher, headquartered in Mexico City, he has trained an
entire generation of etchers, many of whom have themselves achieved
international renown.
...and the technique!
Silva Santamaria’s technique encompasses control of three dimensional
embossing effects through differential depth of cutting of the plate;
and unique use of brilliant colors in close juxtaposition through
control of the inks used. Since each impression is colored differently
from every other from the same plate, each is essentially a unique
monotype
1921 Born in Bogota, Columbia
1937 Studies painting under the French painter, Pierre Daguet, following
the Impressionistic School
1948 Travels in the United States and to France, pursuing his studies
there at the School of Fine Arts and at private academies.
1949 Establishes in Colombia, together with the French artist Jean
Crotti, inventore of the technique, the first workshop for stained glass
windows, type Gemaux.
1950 Teaches drawing at the School of Fine Arts in Bogota, Colombia
1951 Travels for second time to Europe and starts painting in modified
style
1953 Travels to Peru, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu, establishing for the
first time a real contact with the native arts of America
1954 Publishes in Bogota a monography with abstract compositions.
1955 Travels in Mexico, attracted by the influence of contemporary
Mexican Art.
1956 Studies engraving at the school of Esmeralda in Mexico City, in the
workshop of Isidore Ocampo.
1957 Pursues studies at the workshop for engraving at Washington
University, St. Louis, Missouri
1958 Teaches engraving at the Universidad Ibero-Americana in Mexico City
1959 Is in Charge of the workshop for metal engraving of the Centre for
Superior Studies of Applied Arts in Mexico City.
1960 Member of the group of artists that organizes the Museum of Modern
Art in Mexico City
1960 Publishes series of engravings entitled “Man Against Man”
1960 First Prize in Engraving, San Miguel de Allende annual
1961 First Prize in Engraving, Canadian Painters and Etchers Society at
the Royal Museum, Ontario, Canada
From The Cassidy Gallery 1712 San Pedro NE,
Albuquerque, NM