ART | The Long-Awaited First Solo Exhibition in Japan by Spanish Master Antonio López
ART | Spanning Early Works to Recent Masterpieces
Win Tickets: 5 Pairs (10 People) Invited!
The Highly Anticipated First Solo Exhibition in Japan by Spanish Master Antonio López
The first solo exhibition in Japan by world-renowned master Antonio López, "Antonio López: Master of Contemporary Spanish Realism," is being held at Bunkamura The Museum in Shibuya until Sunday, June 16. His representative works, from oil paintings and sketches created with his unique realism to three-dimensional pieces, are gathered in one place.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
Beyond Realism: Capturing the "Essence"
Antonio López, a leading figure in contemporary Spanish art, was born in 1936. He began learning painting from his uncle at a young age and moved to Madrid at 13 to study at the prestigious San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
His unique world, born from exceptional technique and keen observation while pursuing realism, was recognized early on, leading to numerous solo exhibitions worldwide. The 1992 film "The Sun of the Quince Trees," depicting López painting himself, was released in Japan and garnered attention. However, he had never held a solo exhibition in Japan until now. This exhibition marks a long-awaited debut.
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This exhibition features a curated selection of 64 representative works, spanning from his early academic pieces to recent creations across oil painting, drawing, and sculpture. López is known for his meticulous approach, often continuing to work on pieces for over a decade. The exhibition showcases his long-term themes, including Madrid cityscapes, family portraits, still lifes, interiors, and nudes, offering a world that evokes a sense of suspended time and profound mystery.
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Among the highlights are "The Quince Tree," depicted in the film "The Sun of the Quince Trees"; "Portrait of María," conveying deep affection for his beloved daughter; and "Man and Woman," a life-size nude figure that took 26 years to complete, with multiple models posing over the years.
López states, "I'm not interested in trends. Spanish art has always been about my own eyes and hands. What matters is the emotion, the presence. It has nothing to do with photography." We invite you to experience the "essence" that transcends realism in Antonio López's work.
Win Tickets to "Antonio López: Master of Contemporary Spanish Realism"! 5 Pairs (10 People) to be Given Away!
And for OPENERS readers, we have exciting news: we are giving away exhibition tickets to 5 pairs (10 people). If you wish to enter, please apply via the button below.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 15, Noon
Applications are now closed.
Thank you for your many applications.
*Winners will be notified via email. Winners must reply to the notification email, keeping the subject line intact and including all necessary information. Please note that failure to respond by the deadline will result in disqualification.
"Antonio López: Master of Contemporary Spanish Realism"
Dates: Saturday, April 27 – Sunday, June 16
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (Fridays and Saturdays until 21:00)
Venue: Bunkamura The Museum
2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5777-8600 (Hello Dial)
Tickets: General ¥1400, University/High School Students ¥1000, Junior High/Elementary School Students ¥700
Other Venues: Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, Saturday, June 29 – Sunday, August 25
Iwate Museum of Art, Saturday, September 7 – Sunday, October 27