The big news this week in the art circle is that the son of the great Colombian artist-sculptor Fernando Botero was in Manila.
The most important living artist from Latin America is famous for his depiction of everything big and fat — especially women.
“My father does not really intend to paint fat women. He just paints people, animals and objects in a volumetric style,” says Fernando Botero Zea, as though to erase the misconception that his father is obsessed with obesity. “His obsession is with volume. With a touch of humor, yes.”
The term “Boterismo” is used to describe Botero’s art that “depicts people in large, exaggerated volumes.” What is actually big about many of his works is that they are abundant in political criticism and sarcasm, expressing his concern about acts of injustice.
He depicted the violence in Colombia from the drug cartels in 50 artworks he exhibited in 2004.
This series was followed by 185 artworks showing the torture and humiliation suffered by Arab prisoners at the hands of American soldiers in the Abu Ghraib prison.
“A painting will never change any social or political situation. But it is a testimony about a moment in madness, an absurd moment in our history,” says the 85-year-old maestro in a recent interview in China. “‘Guernica,’ the most famous painting of the 20th century, did not get Franco out of power; he continued 30 years in power. The power of art is to allow things to be remembered.”
“My father has very strong political views,” explains Botero Zea, 61, a former Minister of Defense in Colombia. “But right now, my mission is the enrichment of people’s lives through the art of my father.”
An MA graduate in business and public administration at Harvard University, Botero Zea divides his time between his birthplace, Mexico, and Hong Kong, which serves as his base in Asia, a place he views as an increasingly important art hub.
Major art events are being staged in Asia, where the consciousness for art soars as high as the impressive skyrocketing prices at auctions.
“My father recently had a grand exhibit in China. He has also traveled to Singapore (where the people long for more of his sculptures), Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. He loves Asia.”
Botero Zea was in Manila upon the invitation of businessman Arnold Co. “I had the pleasure of meeting Arnold in Beijing where he was chairman and moderator of a meeting of distinguished business leaders (Young Presidents Organization). He asked me if I was interested in coming to Manila. My answer was an automatic ‘yes,’” smiles Botero Zea.
“The Philippines is a country with a very dynamic economy and great people. It is definitely an interesting place to explore,” he adds.
At a dinner hosted by art connoisseurs/collectors Lito and Kim Camacho in their art-filled home, Botero Zea met the movers from Manila’s art scene who were impressed by his elegant but warm personality.
Did Maestro Botero try to encourage him to be an artist also?
“He said I should not! He believes that art is a talent you exhibit early as a child. I did not have that inclination, and neither did my two siblings. I had other inclinations. My passions now are business and sports.”
Botero Zea says it was a lively experience growing up with a great artist. “My father is a very passionate artist and teacher. He taught us to always explore museums, learn about great literature and great cinema. Conversations with him were always rich in lessons.”
Likewise, his mother Gloria Zea, a former Minister of Culture in Colombia, exposed him to art, culture and music — particularly opera music.
Maestro Botero got his education and exposure to art in Madrid, Paris and Florence. “He was largely influenced by Renaissance masters and the Baroque style of colonial churches and city life in Medellin where he was born,” explains the son.
The main lesson he learned from the maestro was passion for work. “My father works every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. He has more ideas in his head than time. He doesn’t like to waste time.”
Right now, Botero spends time painting in Colombia as well as Greece, France, the US (New York) and Monaco (Monte Carlo) “where Prince Rainier gave him an inspiring studio space,” the son adds.
Every country wants a piece of Botero’s art. Think Colombia and you think of two icons — Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Fernando Botero. Botero is big worldwide.
While in town, Botero Zea was impressed by the Makati, BGC and old Manila areas. “I am aware that there are two prominent Colombians in the Philippines. He was referring to Lizzie Eder-Zobel, who is active in cultural and socio-civic activities, and Stella Marquez-Araneta, who was the first Miss International, in 1960. Both women come from prominent families in Colombia and are married to Filipino business leaders Jaime Augusto Zobel and Jorge Araneta, respectively, whose families developed the Makati and Cubao business districts.
About Miss Colombia 2016, who was erroneously proclaimed Miss Universe by host Steve Harvey, he laughs: “Oh, that incident really made our Miss Colombia very famous!”
Botero Zea says preparations are now underway for his father’s next exhibits outside Colombia. Most prominent would be the Picasso-Botero exhibit of parallel works in Aix-en-Provence starting November. The two artists’ works on the same subjects such as women, bullfights and the circus will be shown side by side.
How about Manila? Our art movers hope that the answer will become the next big news.
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