Glenbow presents internationally acclaimed artist Fernando Botero

Calgary, AB (August 19, 2010) – Glenbow opens the fall season with one of the last century’s most significant South American artists, Fernando Botero. The Baroque World of Fernando Botero is an in-depth look at this internationally renowned Colombian painter, sculptor and draftsman. Fernando Botero depicts with irony the comedy of human life, creating a world of his own which is both accessible and enigmatic, with a particular blend of violence, humour and beauty. Botero’s unique style is instantly recognizable around the world, and his imagery memorable. “Calgarians have an expectation to enjoy art and cultural experiences of outstanding quality, equivalent

to what they would see in other major cities, nationally and internationally,” said Kirstin Evenden,

President and CEO of Glenbow Museum. “Fernando Botero’s paintings, drawings and sculptures are

held in collections all over the world and frequently featured in major international cities and galleries,

including a parade of his monumental sculptures throughout Berlin, along Park Avenue in New York and

on the Champs d’Élysées in Paris. Glenbow’s exhibition of Botero, the first-ever in Calgary, is not to be

missed.”

This exhibition is the first major retrospective exhibition of Botero’s work in North America since 1974 and Calgary’s first exhibition of his work. All of the works in the exhibition are drawn from the artist’s personal collection, which was assembled over the past 50 years. These include some of Botero’s favourite pieces or artworks he reacquired, years after they left his possession. This spectacular exhibition features over 100 colourful paintings and sculptures, including three monumental sculptures and several exquisite drawings, some of which are exhibited in public for the first time. All the phases of Botero’s illustrious career are represented in the exhibition, organized into seven sections which highlight his most important themes. Viewers are introduced to images of power and everyday life in Colombia. Later, we see his characteristically inflated figures in parodies of famous paintings of European masters such as Veláquez, Ingres, Delacroix and Piero della Francesca. Also on display are some of Botero’s still lifes and a selection of early works, in which he began to play with the volume of his subjects, exaggerating their excesses and transforming everything he painted into objects of opulence. Botero’s work reflects Latin American life in all its complexity, including the effect of political violence on society. But he also celebrates the more joyous aspects of daily life in Colombia in beautiful, colourful canvases, drawing on his memories to create poignant and unforgettable works. The Baroque World of Fernando Botero is a bilingual exhibition in English and Spanish. The exhibition is curated by Dr. John Sillevis from Curator of the Gemeentemuseum, The Hague. In his late seventies, Fernando Botero currently lives and works in Paris, New York, Monte Carlo and Pietrasanta, Italy.

The Baroque World of Fernando Botero will be on exhibit from August 21 – November 14, 2010.

The Baroque World of Fernando Botero is supported by Gran Tierra, Petro Minerales, the Calgary Herald, Pattison Outdoor and

Hotel Arts.

The Baroque World of Fernando Botero exhibition is organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia.

ABOUT GLENBOW MUSEUM

Glenbow is a museum, art gallery, library and archives all under one roof. One of Canada’s largest museums, Glenbow boasts

more than 1 million artifacts, over 31 thousand works of art, approximately 100 thousand books and 2 million photographs in

its vast collection. Created in 1966 through the generosity of founder Eric L. Harvie, Glenbow Museum is where intriguing

stories from western Canada connect with extraordinary art and artifacts from around the world.

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Media Inquiries:

Megan Bailey

Communications Specialist

403.268.4259

mbailey@glenbow.org