Guinovart, Josep

Biography of Josep Guinovart

Josep Guinovart (Barcelona, 1927-2007) is characterized by his expressive forcefulness and by the constants of stroke, gesture and color that define his agitated and original inner world.

In 1948, Guinovart held his first exhibition at the Syra Galleries in Barcelona, devoting himself completely to painting from 1951. In 1952, after having contacted the Dau al Set Group (with whom he collaborated in the illustration of some of their magazines), he obtained a scholarship to study in Paris. Upon his return, he was actively involved in commissions for mural art, decorations, figurines for plays, illustration work, poster design, etc. Among his scenographic creations are those for works by Federico García Lorca such as Bodas de sangre, and among his illustrations, those for the book Poesies de Salvat Papasseit.

Since 1948, his exhibitions took place in Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Paris, New York, Basel, Chicago and other European and American cities. Guinovart also participated in the Hispano-American Biennial, the Venice Biennial and other international meetings of avant-garde art.

Guinovart began to work with the technique of engraving and produced several editions of lithographs and etchings. He also carried out several three-dimensional assemblages, such as the one entitled Contorn-extorn, presented in 1978 and later donated to the Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona.

His work evolved from an interesting figurative stage, influenced by surrealism and cubism. The abstract movements and informalism opened new perspectives in his aesthetics, incorporating in his work resources of free manipulation of matter and object: burned wood structures, drums, waste objects, boxes, polychrome coatings, signs, etc., thus generating a dialogue between plastic and subjective expression and his vital environment, his symbols, his ghosts and his contradictions.

Guinovart is known for his expressive forcefulness, for the constant presence of line, gesture and color that mark his personal and turbulent inner world. Both in his studio work and in his spectacular stagings and stage designs, he combines expressionist and lyrical languages.

Josep Guinovart died on December 12, 2007, at the age of 80.