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RODOLFO ABULARACH: Guatemalan, 1933-2020

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RODOLFO ABULARACH Guatemalan, 1933-2020

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  • The eye is the most expressive part of the body...the window of being. It has an internal and external space and contains all possible meanings. It is a world in itself...an object of concentration.  

    - Rodolfo Abularach
  • Born in Guatemala City, Rodolfo Abularach (1933–2020) is one of Latin America’s most significant artists. From a very young age...

    Born in Guatemala City, Rodolfo Abularach (1933–2020) is one of Latin America’s most significant artists. From a very young age he showed remarkable draftsmanship and began his formal training in 1946 at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plàsticas. He then studied at the Faculty of Architecture at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and Pasadena City College in California. Between 1955 and 1957, he was hired by the Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología to draw pre-Colombian masks and musical instruments from the museum’s collection. It was then that Abularach began looking to Mayan forms as inspiration for modernist compositions with the encouragement of the influential Guatemalan artist Carlos Mérida.

    In 1958, while teaching drawing and painting at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas, Abularach earned a scholarship from Guatemala’s Directorate of Fine Arts to study at the Art Students League in New York. He remained in New York for 40 years, initially supported by scholarships, including two Guggenheim Fellowships in 1959 and 1960. By the end of 1960, his work had been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, the 5th São Paulo Art Biennial, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, New York, which acquired his work for its permanent collection.

    Abularach became interested in printmaking in the 1960s and, with the support of the Organization of American States (OAS), he studied printing techniques at Pratt Institute from 1962 to 1964. In 1966, he was invited to the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in Los Angeles, where he created a series of prints. During this period, Abularach began exploring the human eye, which became an iconic motif for the artist in a variety of media. Later in his career, the volcano—an emblematic image in the Guatemalan landscape—became a favorite subject.

    In 1998, he returned to Guatemala City where he died in 2020. Abularach’s work is widely exhibited and collected by museums in the United States, Central and South America, and Europe.

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    • Rodolfo Abularach Halo - Eye No. 113, 1969-1970 ink on paper 23 x 29 in (58.4 x 73.7 cm) framed: 25 1/2 x 31 1/2 in (64.8 x 80 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Halo - Eye No. 113, 1969-1970
      ink on paper
      23 x 29 in (58.4 x 73.7 cm)
      framed: 25 1/2 x 31 1/2 in (64.8 x 80 cm)
    • Rodolfo Abularach Ojo Tierra, 1986 acrylic on canvas 48 x 36 in (121.9 x 91.4 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Ojo Tierra, 1986
      acrylic on canvas
      48 x 36 in (121.9 x 91.4 cm)
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      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EOjo%20Tierra%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1986%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eacrylic%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E48%20x%2036%20in%20%28121.9%20x%2091.4%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Aparición - Espacial No. 13 (Appearance - Spatial No. 13), 1977 oil on canvas 60 x 60 in (152.4 x 152.4 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Aparición - Espacial No. 13 (Appearance - Spatial No. 13), 1977
      oil on canvas
      60 x 60 in (152.4 x 152.4 cm)
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    • Rodolfo Abularach Energía No. 6 - Emanación de Energía (Energy No. 6 - Emanation of Energy), 1965 ink on paper 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm) framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Energía No. 6 - Emanación de Energía (Energy No. 6 - Emanation of Energy), 1965
      ink on paper
      30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
      framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EEnerg%C3%ADa%20No.%206%20-%20Emanaci%C3%B3n%20de%20Energ%C3%ADa%20%28Energy%20No.%206%20-%20Emanation%20of%20Energy%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1965%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E30%20x%2030%20in%20%2876.2%20x%2076.2%20cm%29%3Cbr/%3E%0Aframed%3A%2033%201/4%20x%2033%201/4%20in%20%2884.5%20x%2084.5%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach 2 Círculos - Armonía y Contraste (2 Circles - Harmony and Contrast), 1965 ink and acrylic on paper 48 x 24 in (121.9 x 61 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      2 Círculos - Armonía y Contraste (2 Circles - Harmony and Contrast), 1965
      ink and acrylic on paper
      48 x 24 in (121.9 x 61 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3E2%20C%C3%ADrculos%20-%20Armon%C3%ADa%20y%20Contraste%20%282%20Circles%20-%20Harmony%20and%20Contrast%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1965%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20and%20acrylic%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E48%20x%2024%20in%20%28121.9%20x%2061%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Esfera (Flotando) (Sphere (Floating)), 1965 ink on paper 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm) framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Esfera (Flotando) (Sphere (Floating)), 1965
      ink on paper
      30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
      framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EEsfera%20%28Flotando%29%20%28Sphere%20%28Floating%29%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1965%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E30%20x%2030%20in%20%2876.2%20x%2076.2%20cm%29%3Cbr/%3E%0Aframed%3A%2033%201/4%20x%2033%201/4%20in%20%2884.5%20x%2084.5%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Polifenio oil on canvas 24 x 24 in (61 x 61 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Polifenio
      oil on canvas
      24 x 24 in (61 x 61 cm)
    • Rodolfo Abularach Paisaje No. 1 (Landscape No. 1), 1969-1975 oil on canvas 50 x 50 in (127 x 127 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Paisaje No. 1 (Landscape No. 1), 1969-1975
      oil on canvas
      50 x 50 in (127 x 127 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EPaisaje%20No.%201%20%28Landscape%20No.%201%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1969-1975%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E50%20x%2050%20in%20%28127%20x%20127%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Sueño inquisidora, 1975 oil on canvas 24 x 24 in (61 x 61 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Sueño inquisidora, 1975
      oil on canvas
      24 x 24 in (61 x 61 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ESue%C3%B1o%20inquisidora%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1975%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E24%20x%2024%20in%20%2861%20x%2061%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Untitled, n.d. ink on canvas 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Untitled, n.d.
      ink on canvas
      30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EUntitled%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3En.d.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E30%20x%2030%20in%20%2876.2%20x%2076.2%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Esfera, 1970 ink on paper 23 x 29 in (58.4 x 73.7 cm) framed: 25 1/2 x 31 1/2 in (64.8 x 80 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Esfera, 1970
      ink on paper
      23 x 29 in (58.4 x 73.7 cm)
      framed: 25 1/2 x 31 1/2 in (64.8 x 80 cm)
    • Rodolfo Abularach Olimpia, 1979 ink on paper 30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Olimpia, 1979
      ink on paper
      30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EOlimpia%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1979%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E30%20x%2040%20in%20%2876.2%20x%20101.6%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Ojo en las Sombras (Eye in the Shadows), 1970 ink on paper 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm) framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Ojo en las Sombras (Eye in the Shadows), 1970
      ink on paper
      30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
      framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EOjo%20en%20las%20Sombras%20%28Eye%20in%20the%20Shadows%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1970%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E30%20x%2030%20in%20%2876.2%20x%2076.2%20cm%29%3Cbr/%3E%0Aframed%3A%2033%201/4%20x%2033%201/4%20in%20%2884.5%20x%2084.5%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Aquiles (Achilles), 1998 oil on canvas 36 x 48 in (91.4 x 121.9 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Aquiles (Achilles), 1998
      oil on canvas
      36 x 48 in (91.4 x 121.9 cm)
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      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EAquiles%20%28Achilles%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1998%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E36%20x%2048%20in%20%2891.4%20x%20121.9%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Ojo Abierto (Open Eye), 1972 ink on paper 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm) framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Ojo Abierto (Open Eye), 1972
      ink on paper
      30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
      framed: 33 1/4 x 33 1/4 in (84.5 x 84.5 cm)
      Inquire
      %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ERodolfo%20Abularach%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EOjo%20Abierto%20%28Open%20Eye%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1972%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E30%20x%2030%20in%20%2876.2%20x%2076.2%20cm%29%3Cbr/%3E%0Aframed%3A%2033%201/4%20x%2033%201/4%20in%20%2884.5%20x%2084.5%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
    • Rodolfo Abularach Erupción Igneo 2 (Igneous Eruption 2), 1991 oil on canvas 24 x 16 in (61 x 40.6 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Erupción Igneo 2 (Igneous Eruption 2), 1991
      oil on canvas
      24 x 16 in (61 x 40.6 cm)
      Inquire
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    • Rodolfo Abularach Erupción (Eruption), 1991 india ink on paper 25 1/4 x 16 1/2 in (64.1 x 41.9 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Erupción (Eruption), 1991
      india ink on paper
      25 1/4 x 16 1/2 in (64.1 x 41.9 cm)
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    • Rodolfo Abularach Untitled, c. 1991 pastel on paper 25 1/2 x 19 1/2 in (64.8 x 49.5 cm)
      Rodolfo Abularach
      Untitled, c. 1991
      pastel on paper
      25 1/2 x 19 1/2 in (64.8 x 49.5 cm)
      Inquire
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