Alonso Neira Martinez

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Alonso Neira (December 27, 1913 – January 31, 1991) was a Colombian sculptor.

1913. December 27. Born in Bogotá, Colombia His first encounter with sculpture was through ceramic. He helped in his father's (don Segundo Neira) pottery shop named "Etruria" which was open between 1890 and 1952.
1933. Went into the School of Beaux Arts in Bogota where he studied painting and sculpture with: Domingo Rodriguez, Gustavo Arcila Uribe, Domingo Moreno Otero, Carlos Reyes, Ramon Barba and Eugenio Zerda.
1935. Makes monument to the Chía (Moon) Goddess in Chía (Cundinamarca) along with Martin A. Jimenez and Luis A. Sanchez

Chia Goddess Preliminary Sketch

1936. Finalizes Art Studies.
1938 - 1957. Professor at the School of Beaux Arts at the National University of Colombia.
1940. Participant in the I Salon of Colombian Artists with the work: "Head of a Man", direct woodwork; and "Head of a Woman", ceramic.
1942. Participant of the III Salon of Colombian Artists first price in sculpture with: Life (terracota) y Rest (terracota).
1944. Participant of the V Salon of Colombian Artists "Nude" gets a gold medal.
1948. Designs the monument to the Panamerican Flags in the place where the old Techo airport was at Bogotá.
1951. Participates in the international contest for posters to go along with the first Pan-american athletic games in Caracas, Venezuela. His posters are honored with the first price and are therefore the official game icons.
1952. August 7. Takes part again of the IX Salon of Colombian Artists with the clay sculpture "The Fountain".
1953. July 20. Takes part in the collective exposition in commemoration of the shout of Independence with the sculptures: "The Fountain" and "Nude".
1953 - 1964. Professor of painting and project management at the Faculty of Architecture of the National University.
1955. President of the School of Beaux Arts of the National University of Colombia.
His sculpture was mainly that of the so called "academic style". During his artistic career his role as professor of industrial and decorative painting of the Ministry of Education has been very important: of natural painting, model, workshop, handcraft, compared anatomy in the School of Beaux Arts of the National University of Colombia: and of painting and project presentation in the Faculty of Architecture of the National University.

[edit] Works

Sculptures: "Rest" and "Life"; the Monument to Students (Gimnasio Moderno, Bogotá); monument to the Chía goddess (Chía, Cundinamarca); 24 bronze relieves with decorative motifs to the Flag(Techo, Bogotá); Head Portrait of Garavito the wise (Sociedad Colombiana de Ingenieros).