Juana de Aizpuru, pioneer of contemporary art, retires

Juana de Aizpuru, one of the most important gallerists in the State, announced her retirement. At the age of 89, the woman from Seville ends a career of more than fifty years in which she has contributed decisively to the dissemination and promotion of contemporary art in our country.

Aizpuru was born in Valladolid in 1933. He graduated in Art History at the University of Madrid and, after a brief stint in teaching, decided to dedicate himself to the world of art. In 1970 he opened his first gallery in Seville, specializing in contemporary art.

The Aizpuru gallery soon became a benchmark for contemporary Spanish art. Through her, the gallerist introduced artists such as Miquel Barceló, Eduardo Chillida, Joan Miró or Antoni Tàpies. He also supported emerging artists, such as Antonio López, Luis Gordillo or José Manuel Broto. In 1982, Aizpuru was the promoter of ARCO, the most important contemporary art fair in Spain. He directed the fair during the first four editions, contributing to its consolidation as a reference event in the international arena.

Throughout her career, Aizpuru has been awarded numerous prizes, including the National Award for Fine Arts in 1996 and the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts in 2014. Her retirement means the loss of a key figure in the world of contemporary Spanish art. Aizpuru has been a pioneer in the dissemination and promotion of this type of art, contributing to its consolidation in our country.

legacy

The legacy of Juana de Aizpuru is unquestionable. His work has been fundamental in developing contemporary art in Spain. Through her gallery, the gallerist has introduced artists from all over the world, and has contributed to their international projection. She has also been a great promoter of artistic education. Through exhibitions and conferences, he has contributed to bringing art closer to a wider audience. His retirement is a loss to the art world, but his legacy will live on for many years to come.