Colombian Master Fernando Botero and Gary Nader talk about art, art basel, and more

By Sonia Tita Puopolo

Tita Why do you feel developers are investing in High End Art in their lobbies?

Botero Art has always been a secure and good investment. Developers acquire top end art to entice people to the building. Art is sexy. Art patrons are affluent and are the new aristocracy. Having a great artist’s work in your building complements the known architects design.

Tita What inspires you?

Botero My passion for the arts

Tita What is your favorite piece?

Botero The one that creates emotions and generates ideas in the spectator.

Tita Thoughts on Art Basel? What do you anticipate this year?

Botero We expect that this year we will be able to view an improved and growing art fair considering new galleries as well as emerging artist. We also anticipate another very busy week full of art fairs such as Pulse, Photo Miami, NADA and Scope Art Fair as well as solo and group shows prepared by the local galleries and independent artist. My own show at Gary’s is going to be a great success!

Tita What is the theme of your upcoming show during Art Basel at Gary Nader Fine Art?

Botero My show will include significant masterpieces featuring paintings, drawings and sculptures including monumental works from the 60’s through today. A Still-Life from the 50’s, A Family and The General and His Family from the 70’s, all of them oil on canvas and my monumental Male Torso, bronze from 1992.

Thanks to Gary, the exhibition will provide a coherent evolution of my aesthetic discourse; from the geometry of the Italian Quattrocento, to the luminous extravagance of Spanish masters Goya and Velazquez, turning into an international iconic symbol of the 20th century visual art.

I’m of the old school…I believe art should give pleasure. This is what this exhibition is all about it: the pleasure of encountering my paintings that speak in a language that is universal and transcends the barrier of locality.

Gary Nader The exhibition calendar for December will be “Homenaje al Maestro Fernando Botero”, One Man Show and Pablo Atchugarry, One Man Show.

The private VIP opening reception is Thursday, December 7th, 2006 at 7.00PM.

We will also feature the works of Pablo Atchugarry, who was born in Montevideo, Uruguay and is today one of the most important contemporary sculptors. In July 2002, Pablo Atchugarry received the Michelangelo Award in Carrara , in recognition of his artistic career. In 2003, Atchugarry represented Uruguay in the International Exhibition of Visual Arts at the Venice Biennale with an installation of eight pieces on Carrara marble and Grey Bardiglio marble which title was “Dreaming of Peace.”