1931 - 2005
One of the most celebrated Spanish artists of the last few decades, Joan Hernández Pijuan (Spanish, 1931–2005) is known for his simple compositions with uniform planes of colors. Born in Barcelona, Pijuan graduated from the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Sant Jordi. In 1953, he held his first exhibition, displaying expressionistic works. The Museo Municipal de Mataró hosted his first solo exhibition in 1955, and soon afterward, he co-foundered "Grupo Silex." The group, which included artists Carles Planell, Eduardo Alcoy, and Josep Maria Rovira Brull, explored the connection between Contemporary Art and primitive tradition, with particular emphasis on abstraction and Expressionism.
During the late 1950s, he lived and worked in Paris, where he learned etching and lithography, adapting a figurative geometric style. His works during this time incorporated mathematical elements and stacked, solid objects against gray backdrops. He didn't return to Informalismo until the 1980s.
In 1977, he began teaching at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Sant Jordi. In 1989, he was appointed a professor of painting in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona, and became dean in 1992. A retrospective exhibition of his work was held at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. In 2011, another retrospective was held at the Museum of Modern Art in Moscow.
Pijuan died in Barcelona at the age of 74.
During the late 1950s, he lived and worked in Paris, where he learned etching and lithography, adapting a figurative geometric style. His works during this time incorporated mathematical elements and stacked, solid objects against gray backdrops. He didn't return to Informalismo until the 1980s.
In 1977, he began teaching at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Sant Jordi. In 1989, he was appointed a professor of painting in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona, and became dean in 1992. A retrospective exhibition of his work was held at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. In 2011, another retrospective was held at the Museum of Modern Art in Moscow.
Pijuan died in Barcelona at the age of 74.
Joan Hernàndez Pjiuan, "Rosa Verda", 1987, etching, 4/50, 28 x 38 cm
