Figurativas 2023, Last days! | Exhibitions · MEAM, European Museum of Modern Art

Figurativas 2023

Last days!

6 October 2023 ⟶ 14 January 2024

Finalized

In the fascinating world of contemporary art, the prestigious 12th International Figurative Painting and Sculpture Competition 2023, biennially organized by the Fundació Privada de les Arts i els Artistes, stands out as one of the most prominent events. This competition has managed to attract some of the most talented artists from around the world.

The "Figurativas" competition is not only an event in itself but the beginning of an ongoing artistic journey. The Fundació Privada de les Arts i els Artistes looks forward to closely following the artistic evolution of each of the awardees and witnessing how they continue to surprise us with their new creations. The significance of this competition lies in its ability to showcase the most current and avant-garde visual creations. The Fundació Privada de les Arts i els Artistes in Barcelona takes pride in fostering and promoting contemporary art by providing a platform for artists from around the world to share their vision and talent.

Figurativas 2023 was much more than a mere art competition. The submitted works went through a meticulous evaluation process consisting of several phases:

In the painting category, distinguished artists and art critics were part of the jury. One of the most renowned members was Antonio López García, a master of figurative representation, whose artistic legacy is widely admired. Alongside him, Arantzazu Martínez, Miriam Escofet, Guillermo Lorca, Jordi Díaz Alamà, Tomás Paredes, and Jose Enrique González embarked on a unique and exciting journey as part of one of the most distinguished international art competitions to select the best works presented in this latest call.

In the sculpture category, the jury was composed of renowned artists such as Eudald de Juana, Silvia Juez Linares, Grzegorz Gwiazda, Maudie Brady, and Jose Enrique González, who brought their unique perspectives and profound knowledge to the evaluation of the sculptural works.

The public will have the opportunity to enjoy these masterpieces in person at an exhibition opening on October 6th at the Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM) in Barcelona. This exhibition will be a unique opportunity to closely appreciate the talent and creativity of the awarded artists and to immerse oneself in the exciting world of contemporary art. We invite all art lovers to experience the magnificence of these works firsthand. Attention: Awarded artists must confirm their attendance at the award ceremony by writing to the email promocio@meam.es.

Likewise, we wish to inform you that on the third floor of the museum, you will be able to visit the work of Haitz de Diego, winner of the Monographic Exhibition Award in this edition of the competition.

Both exhibitions will remain open from October 6, 2023, until January 14, 2024 (closed on Mondays), from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m

About the artist

Although each of the awarded artists deserves special recognition, we would like to highlight two of them whose innate talent has deeply impressed the jury:

In the painting category, the first prize has been awarded to Kazuya Ushioda for his work "Grimoire." Ushioda has demonstrated an astonishing ability to accurately capture the human essence in his brushstrokes, as well as exceptional mastery of color. His work stands out for its advanced technical skill and mastery in depicting details, light, and shadows. However, beyond the technique, his work also evokes magic, mystery, and a unique emotional expression. Ushioda has succeeded in conveying emotions and ideas innovatively, highlighting his originality and evocative power. His approach, which combines simplicity and economy of means, creates a sense of calm, purity, and conceptual clarity that is truly remarkable.

In the sculpture category, the first prize has been awarded to Jana Büttner for her work "Burden." Buettner has demonstrated an exceptional ability to shape the material and create stunning three-dimensional forms. Her connection with clay allows her to express herself with her own hands and experiment with textures and shapes. Her goal is to evoke emotions and foster empathy in the viewer, and her work achieves precisely that. The three-dimensionality and space occupied by her sculptures allow for a unique emotional connection with the viewer. Buettner stands out for working with live models, allowing each viewer to identify to some extent with her work.