Alfredo Da Silva

Alfredo Da Silva
Self portrait, Pencil and Ink, 1986 DC.
Born	(1935-02-20) February 20, 1935 New York City
Nationality	Potosi, Bolivia, South America
Education	Potosí Academy of Fine Arts. Arts university Tomas Frias. Prilidiano Pueyredon Academy of Fine Arts. Pratt Institute of New York.
Known for	Fine Artist Painter Graphic Artist, Painting, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture
Notable work	Space Time
Movement	Abstract Expressionism, Watercolor
Spouse(s)	Joan Da Silva (m. 1965; div. 1987)
Awards	1961, Pan American Fellowship 1963, Guggenheim Fellowship 1964, Pratt Graphic Center Grant
Website
www.alfredodasilva.com

Alfredo Da Silva (born February 20, 1935) is a painter, graphic artist, and photographer, known for his abstract expressionism. He came to international prominence in 1959.

Biography

Alfredo Da Silva was born February 20, 1935 during the end of an inconclusive Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay. In 1938 a peace treaty was signed in Buenos Aires between Paraguay and Bolivia. After Chaco War, Bolivia was struggling to find some form of Democracy for the indigenous Indians that made up a large demographic. Many political parties tried to take power. Violent coups and counter-revolutions followed, but in 1952 Victor Paz Estenssoro left-wing Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario the MNR succeeds in seizing power. "Alfredo Da Silva was almost unknown in his own country until he went abroad and won the highest award for a foreign artist at the 1959 National Salon in Buenos Aires".^[1] In 1960 he was discovered by José Gómez Sicre who at the time was Chief of the Division of Visual Arts for the Pan American Union now called the Organization of American States or OAS for short.^[2] In 1961 José Gómez Sicre invited him to have a one man show at the Pan American Union Gallery in Washington D.C organized by the Organization of American States.^[3] He was close friends with a celebrated Bolivian sculptor Marina Núñez del Prado who wrote about him in her book "Eternidad en Los Andes".^[4] He is recognized as one of the historical "generation of 52" by The National Art Museum (MNA).^[5] The generation of 52 is marked by the Bolivian National Revolution which occurred on April 9, 1952.^[6] The generation of 52 had two main artistic trends, the "social painters" and the "abstract painters". Alfredo was part of the movement of abstract painters that did not accept social realism as the only mode for artistic expression.^[7] According to Babs Myer from the "Times of Brazil" "Accepting "abstract expressionism" as the label most nearly describing his art, da Silva works from a base of "intuition creation," expressing a world of intuition with rational shapes. He fuses the ancient past with the far distant future and creates a sense of time itself moving to the future or to the past, but always of one continuous whole. The circle, is always evident, and one may recognize ancient Indian building stones, fossilized bones, or structures for man's use in some misty future in space".^[8] Later in 1981 his abstract work is recognized by Teresa Gisbert (Director of the institute of Bolivian Studies at the University of San Andres in La Paz, Bolivia), she described his work as "Outstanding for his treatment of surface qualities and his abstractionism".^[9]

Background and academic career

He studied at the Potosí Academy of Fine Arts University Tomas Frias^[10] and the Prilidiano Pueyredon Academy of Fine Arts^[11] in Buenos Aires where, in 1958, he obtained his degree as teacher of drawing and painting. In 1962, he won a grant to study graphic Arts at the Pratt Institute of New York.

Art career

Alfredo Da Silva had his first show in 1951 at age 16. In 1959, he won first prize in a competition for foreign artists at the Salon National of Painting in Buenos Aires. In 1961 he was invited to have a one-man show at the Pan American Union in Washington, D.C.;^[12] that same year He represented the Pan American Union at the Biennale of San Paulo. In 1962, he won a grant to study graphic Arts at the Pratt Institute of New York. In 1963, the Institute of Spanish Culture in Madrid invited him to participate in the exhibition of "Art of America and Spain ;" that same year he was awarded a fellowship^[13] by the Guggenheim Foundation for the period of 1963–1964. In 1964, he was invited to participate at the II American Biennale of Cordoba, Argentina, where he won 3rd prize. In 1977 participated at II Biennale of Bolivia INBO, where he won grand prize. In 1980 he was invited to the II Biennale Iberoamericana of Art in Mexico where he had a show.

Early years 1943 – 1950

At the age eight Alfredo saw his brother Hugo Silva's art who was studying in the local school of fine art and with a competitive spirit was motivated to do better. During this period he drew pencil sketches of still life and landscapes. Pencil was the only utensil he could afford until he went to school in 1951.

Growth 1951 – 1962

In 1951 he enrolled into the Potosí Academy of Fine Arts, Arts university Tomas Frias. Where he studied drawing, painting, sculpture, and graphic arts. Then in 1958 he went to the Prilidiano Pueyredon Academy of Fine art in Buenos Aires where, in December of that same year, he obtained his degree as teacher of drawing and painting. In 1962, he won a grant to study graphic Arts at the Pratt Institute of New York.

Maturity 1959 – 1980

In 1959 He won the highest award for a foreign artist at the National Salon in Buenos Aires. "Just two years later he was awarded a Pan American Fellowship in Washington, D.C., where he was given a one-man show and then invited to represent the Pan American Union at the Biennale of San Paulo".

"During the 1960s, he continued to amass honors, including his Guggenheim Fellowship and a Pratt Graphic Center Grant, as his artwork attracted ever increasing attention and plaudits. Since then, he has participated in dozens of group exhibitions at such prominent venues as the Museum of Fine Arts, Mexico; the Contemporary Art Museum of Dallas, Texas; the Museum of Fine Arts in Helsinki, Finland; the gallery of the Central University of Caracas, Venezuela; the Institute of Contemporary Art in London; the Museum of Aberdeen, Scotland; and the Cultural Center of Villa Madrid, Spain. His work has also been exhibited in numerous one-man shows throughout North and South America and Europe and is in the permanent collections of the Coin Museum of Potosi, Bolivia; the National Museum of La Paz; the Metropolitan Museum of New York; and the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro; to name just a few of the public collections that boast his works. His many prizes include the Grand Prize at the II Biennale INBO in La Paz in 1977".

Present – 1980–

Between 1974 -1976 he worked for ABC TV American Broadcasting CO., 1257 54St. New York Graphic Designer : illustrations for Storyboards,Slide Presentations, Covers, Jackets,Mechanical Brochures. Working with picture department to develop illustrations.

Between 1981 – 1986 he worked for U.S. News & World Report, 2400 N st., NW. Washington DC. Graphic Designer: Responsible for designing Supplements for U.S. News Magazine from inception through completion. Complete charge designing Direct Mail Promotion material, Brochures~, Booklets, Ads for Magazines & Newspapers. Conceptual abilities,produce quality comps,general production of mechanicals, select and evaluate photographs. Excellent typography, Experienced in Illustrations and Photography & dark room photo lab . Enjoys working on team projects and meeting deadlines.

Between 1987 – 1988 he worked for The World & I, Washington Times Publication. 2850; New York Ave. Ne. Washington DC . Art Director: Responsible for the overall look of the Magazine, support with the conceptual design & production for all graphic materials, coordinate the Art department activities with the editorial & production depts . Photo directing and select, evaluate photographs,Illustrations for the cover magazine and page design for special reports,assign work to Illustrators & Photographers.

Between 1988–present he worked for HJB Associates, 2228 South Quincy St. Arlington,VA. Part-time AS St . 1ITt Director: Design and production of Corporate Identity, Direct-I.1ail Catalogs, Brochures, Fliers, Annual Reports and Slide Presentations.

On May 21, 2005 He was a judge for the Congressional Art Competition "An Artistic Discovery" in Washington Dc.

Between March 16 to May 17, 2009 his art was part of an exhibit presented at the Museo de Antioquia, in Medellín, Colombia, on occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Inter-American Development Bank, and the celebration of the 50th Annual Meeting of Governors of the IDB. An exhibition gathering paintings, drawings and engravings by some of the most important Latin American and Caribbean 20th-century artists, drawn from the collections of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Organization of American States, in Washington, D.C.

Comments by critics and notable artists

• In the book Art in Latin America Today "Bolivia" art critic Rigoberto Villarroel Claure says "Alfredo Da Silva was almost unknown in his own country until he went abroad and won the highest award for a foreign artist at the 1959 National Salon in Buenos Aires".^[1]
• In a Cable address on October 26, 1966 Dr. José Gómez Sicre said "In my judgment, Alfredo Da Silva is highly talented as both a painter and graphic artist, and there is no doubt that he can be considered among the best professional artists in his fields in Latin America".^[14]
• In the book "Latin-American Painters in New York" Ernesto Ramallo (professor and art critic), from Buenos Aires, Argentina Describes Alfredo Da Silva and his work. "He is very young. His 24 years almost conflict with the maturity his work shows. We are far from thinking that painting well is a matter of more or less time, but still it is surprising to find him so mature. His works have everything, but everything in coherence, in unity. It is suggestive, yes, but it suggests the deep: there is nothing superficial or epidermic".^[15]
• Celebrated Bolivian sculptor Marina Núñez del Prado describes his work in her book "Eternidad en Los Andes" "His work is abstract and gets us thinking in Tiawanaqu. He has all the telluric force and mysterious strength of the andian nature".^[16]
• Artist, art critic, and cultural manager, Felix Angel describes his work in the catalog "50 years 50 works" "His production, based on a repertory of forms that alternate between the geometric and the organic, has always been rich in meaning. He has never been able to banish completely from his mind the hallucinatory images of the Valley of the Moon near La Paz, as attested in his work by the mineral-like sharpness of the draftsmanship and the labyrinthine intricacy of the total composition".^[17]

Style and Influences

Style and technique		Influences and admiration
Abstract art		Nature
Textured art		Inca civilization
Watercolor		Mountains
Portraits		15th century art
Graphic art		16th century art
Lithograph		17th century art
Serigraph		Johannes Vermeer
Oil painting		Leonardo da Vinci
Drawing		Raphael
Photography		Titian
Still life		Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
		Diego Velázquez
		Dutch artists
		Italian artists
		Spanish artists

His early works were painted using vibrant colors. Growing up in Bolivia he was influenced by the Inca civilization. In 1958 he went to Buenos Aires and became very interested in his textural expressionism. Color wise his paintings were more monochromatic. He also spent a great deal more focus on texture and composition. In 1960 he started to receive invitations to have shows all over the world and his paintings began to grow in size and in detail.

Shows, Prizes, and Collections

One man shows in Bolivia

• 1951 Bibloioteca de La Paz, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1952 University of Tomas Frias, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1953 San Francisco Xavier University, Sucre, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1954 Salon of Tarija, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1955 Salon of the city of Oruro, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1955 Salon of Cochabamba, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1955 Salon of the city of La Paz, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1857 National Museum of Potosi, Bolivia.^[18]

One man shows in other countries

• 1954 Valparaiso, Chile.^[18]
• 1955 Lima, Peru.^[18]
• 1955 Rio Janeiro, Brazil.^[18]
• 1957 Jocky club, Cordoba, Argentina.^[18]
• 1957 Union Artist Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1958 Buenos Aires, Gallery, Argentina.^[18]
• 1960 Punta del Este, Gallery, Uruguay.^[18]
• 1960 Peuser gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1961 Pan American Union Gallery, Washington, D.C.^[18]
• 1961 Henrri gallery, Alexandria, Virginia.^[18]

Group shows

• 1955 Latin American Exhibition, U.S.A.^[18]
• 1962 Columbus Museum of Art and Graphics, Georgia.^[18]
• 1962 Latin American Art Festival, U.S. A^[18]
• 1963 El Arte actual de America en Europa. Madrid, Espana.^[18]

Prizes

• 1954 First Prize School of Fine Arts Potosi, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1955 First Prize, Salon of the City of Potosi, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1956 Honorary Mention at the Academy of Fine Arts, Potosi, Bolivia.
• 1956 Acquisition Prize Salon of the City of La Paz, Bolivia.^[18]
• 1957, First Prize, JockeyClub, Cordoba, Argentina.
• 1959 First Prize Foreign Artists Salon National of the Fine Arts School of Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1962 Prize, Academy of Fine Arts, Barranquilla, Colombia.
• 1964, 3rd Prize, II American Biennale of Cordoba, Argentina.
• 1966, Acquisition Prize, Everson Museum, Syracuse
• 1970, 2nd Prize, Chrysler Festival, Provincetown, Massachusetts.
• 1977, Grand Prize, II Biennale INBO, La Paz.

Museum and private collections

• Museum of Potosi, Bolivia.^[18]
• Museum of Modern Art, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• Private Collection Ralf Simunek-Argentina.^[18]
• 1959 National Salon of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1959 Agrupacion Arte No Figurativo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1960 Sociedad Ver y Estimar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1960 First International Art Exhibition, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1961 National Museum of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[18]
• 1961 Museum of Modern Arts, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.^[18]
• 1961 Special Invitation Sixth Biennalof São Paulo, Brasil in the Pan American Union Representation.^[18]
• 1961 First Interamerican Contemporary of Art Hall Gallery, Washington, D.C.^[18]
• 1961 Latin American Art, Atlantic City Electric Company.^[18]
• 1962 Latin American Art Duke University, Washington, D.C.^[18]
• 1962 Latin American Art Foxcroft School, Virginia.^[18]

Family

• Father: Napoleon Silva Rodriguez
• Mother: Florencia Condori
• Brothers: Juvenal, Hugo, David
• Sisters: Tereza, Rosa
• Son: Lorenzo Da Silva

Grants

• 1961, Pan American Fellowship, Washington, D.C.
• 1963, Guggenheim Fellowship, New York.
• 1964, Pratt GraphicCenter Grant, New York. Prizes:

Public collections

1. Coin Museum of Potosí, Bolivia
2. National Museum, La Paz, Bolivia
3. Museum of Modern Art, Caracas, Venezuela
4. Museum of Modern Art, Staten Island, New York
5. Museum of Modern Art of Latin America, Washington, D.C.
6. Permanent Collection, Hartford Foundation, New York.
7. Institute of Spanish Culture, Madrid, Spain.
8. Guggenheim Collection, New York.
9. Permanent Collection, Kaiser, Argentina
10. Museum of Fine Arts and Modern Art, Toledo, Spain.
11. Museum of Modern Art, New York.
12. Bolivian Embassy, Moscow, Russia.
13. Metropolitan Museum, New York.
14. Center of Interamerican Relations, New York.
15. Everson Museum, Syracuse, New York.
16. Museum of Modern Art, Lima, Peru.
17. Museum of Modern Art, Rio, Brazil,
18. Museum of University of Texas.
19. Interamerican Bank, Washington, D.C.

Individual exhibitions

• 1951, Municipal Gallery, La Paz, Bolivia.
• 1952, Fine Arts Academy, Potosí, Bolivia.
• 1954, San Francisco University, Sucre, Bolivia.
• 1954, Academy of Fine Arts, Potosi, Bolivia.
• 1955, Technical University, Oruro, Bolivia.
• 1957, Coin Museum of Potosí, Bolivia.
• 1957, Jockey Club Gallery, Cordoba,
• 1957, Argentina. Society of Plastic Arts Gallery, Buenos Aires.
• 1959, Art Bella Gallery, Montevideo, Uruguay.
• 1959, Gallery Galatea, Buenos Aires.
• 1960, Museum of Modern Art, Buenos Aires.
• 1960, Punta del Este Gallery, Uruguay.
• 1961, Pan American Union Gallery, Washington, D.C.
• 1962, Henri Gallery, Alexandria.
• 1963, Royal Athenea Gallery, New York.
• 1964, Pan American Union Gallery, Washington, D.C.
• 1964, San Fidele Gallery, Milan.
• 1965, Obelic Gallery, Buenos Aires.
• 1967, Contemporary Institute, Lima, Peru .
• 1967, Libano Gallery, Libano.
• 1970, French I nstitute, New York.
• 1971, Montreal Art Center, Montreal.
• 1974, Royal Athenea Gallery, New York.
• 1974, American Federation, New York.
• 1977, Museum of Modern Art, Rio, Brazil.
• 1977, Museum of Fine Arts, Rio, Brazil.
• 1977, Casa Blanca Gallery, Rio.
• 1978, Kenako Gallery, La Paz, Bolivia.
• 1979, Emusa Gallery,La Paz, Bolivia.
• 1980, Franz Bader Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Collective exhibitions

• 1956, Municipal Gallery, La Paz, Bolivia.
• 1958, Museum of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires.
• 1959, National Gallery of Painting, Buenos Aires.
• 1959, Peuser Gallery, Buenos Aires.
• 1960, Van Riel Gallery, Buenos Aires.
• 1960, Arte Contemporaneo, Museum of Modern Art, Buenos Aires.
• 1961, Museum of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires.
• 1961, Prize "Ver y Estimar," Van Riel Gallery, Buenos Aires.
• 1961, Museum of Fine Arts, Rio, Brazil.
• 1962, Museum of Modern Art, São Paulo, Brazil.
• 1962, Latin American Art, Atlantic City
• 1962, Contemporary Art, Duke University, NewOrleans.
• 1962, Latin American Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Mexico.
• 1963, Latin American Art, Columbus Museum of Art, Georgia.
• 1963, American Art of Spain, Madrid, Rome, Berlin, Bilbao, Paris.
• 1963, Contemporary Art, Museum of Dallas, Texas.
• 1964, International Gallery, New York.
• 1964, Art Contemporary Gallery, Washington, D.C.
• 1964, Magnet, Bonino Gallery, New York, Texas, Mexico.
• 1964, II Biennale of America, Cordoba, Argentina.
• 1965, New personalities, Pepsi-Cola, New York.
• 1965, Latin American Art, Berlin .
• 1965, Contemporary Art Sutton Place, Baltimore.
• 1966, Latin American Art, Museum of Modern Art, Paris.
• 1966, "New Art," Museum of Modern Art, Buenos Aires.
• 1967, "20 South American Artists," Mexico, Oakland, Oregon, California.
• 1967, "Painters of South America," Museum of Fine Arts, Helsinki, Finlandia.
• 1967, " Ruben Dario competition ," Nicaragua.
• 1967, Latin American Art, Central University, Caracas, Venezuela.
• 1968, American Federation of Arts, New York.
• 1968, Jewish Museum, New York.
• 1968, Obelic Gallery, Buenos Aires.
• 1968, Maya Gallery, Bruxelas.
• 1969, International Festival, Montargis.
• 1969, Museum of Modern Art, São Paulo, Brazil.
• 1969, Contemporary Art, San Francisco.
• 1969, Institute of Art, New Haven.
• 1970, Mexico University Museum.
• 1970, Institute of Contemporary Art, London .
• 1970, Avant Garde Latin American Artists, Roma.
• 1973, Contemporary Painting of Bolivia, Museum of Modern Art, Paris.
• 1973, Virreinal Palace, Barcelona.
• 1974, Montreal Art Center.
• 1974, Contemporary Painting of Bolivia, Museum National, La Paz, Bolivia.
• 1974, Museum of Modern Art, Estocolmo.
• 1975, Museum of Abendeen, Escocia.
• 1975, Cambridge University, London.
• 1975, Museum of Modern Art, Minneapolis.
• 1975, I Biennale INBO, La Paz, Bolivia.
• 1976, Yale University.
• 1977, Actual Art of Iberoamerica, Cultural Center of Villa Madrid.
• 1977, II Biennale INBO, La Paz.
• 1978, Modern Artists Gallery, Wicteom, Buenos Aires.
• 1979, Museum National, La Paz.
• 1979, Documenta Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
• 1979, Imaginar Gallery, Bogota, Colombia.

References

Web

• "John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellows". February 22, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2010. 
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (July–September 1995). "International delegates consider audio technology" (TEXT). Vol.26 (No. 3). The Library of Congress. Retrieved March 18, 2010. 
• "Bolivia: general information" (TEXT/HTML). Vantage World travel. p. para 6. Retrieved March 18, 2010. 
• "José Gómez Sicre Papers, 1916–1991" (TEXT/HTML). Artist Files, Box9, File 1: Texas Archival Resources Online. Retrieved March 21, 2010. 
• Teresa Gisbert. "Generation of 52" (TEXT/HTML). Ecology and Art (in Spanish). Historic sample, paragraph 4: The National Art Museum (MNA). Retrieved March 22, 2010. 

Journal

Gisbert, Teresa (April 1981). "Bolivian painting today". Americas (in Spanish translated to English) (Washington dc: General Secretariat Organization of American States) 33 (4): 13, para 5,& 7. 

Books

• Rigoberto Villarroel Claure (1963). Art in Latin America Today Bolivia. Washington D.C: Pan American Union. p. 17 and Illustrations. 
  • Shows pan American union 1961, some biographical info, and painting and critic reviews
• Florencio Garcia Cisneros (1964). Latin-American Painters in New York (in English and Spanish). Francisco R. Garcia. Shows exhibit dates from 1936–1962  CS1 maint: English language specified (link)
  • Contains some biographical info, painting, and critic reviews
• International Exhibition of Graphic Art (in English and Dutch). Frechen/Germany. 1986. p. 158.  CS1 maint: English language specified (link)
  • Shows some biographical info and 1 painting
• 10th International Triennial of Original Graphic Prints (in English, Spanish, and Dutch). Washington D.C: Kunstgesellshaft Grenchen. 1985. p. 235.  CS1 maint: English language specified (link)
  • Shows art work and artist
• Teresa Gisbert (April 1981). Americas. Vol.33 (No.4). Washington D.C: General Secretariat Organization of American States. p. 1 and Back Cover. 
  • Shows Art work and Artist
• Marina Núñez del Prado (December 1973). Eternidad en Los Andes. Marina Núñez del Prado. pp. 191–192. 
  • Positive written views of Artist
• II Bienal Ibericoamericana de Arte (in English, Spanish, and Dutch). 1985. p. 235.  CS1 maint: English language specified (link)
  • Shows art work and artist
• Alexander, Robert J. (1958). The Bolivian national revolution. New Brunswick, N.J.: University Press. 
  • all about the Bolivian national revolution
• Inter-American Development Bank Felipe Herrera Library (2009). 50 Years 50 Works (in English and Spanish). Washington, D.C.: IDB Cultural Center. p. 66.  CS1 maint: English language specified (link)
  • Shows one art work and recognizes him as one of the 50 greatest Latin American artists. with comments by Felix Angel

Newspaper

• Alejandra Melgraejo (April 2008). "Da Silva: gran artista potosino y experimentador de texturas" (in Spanish). Potosí Bolivia: EL Potosi. 
  • Contains=Shows full 2 page article in color with Art work and Artist recognition
• "Congressional Awards Ceremony". Washington Post (Washington DC). May 2005. 
  • Contains=Shows Awards picture and artist
• Meyer, Babs (December 3&4 1978). "Guggenheim grantee in SP". Sao Paulo: Brazil Herald's Supplement. pp. para 5&6.  Check date values in: |date= (help); |accessdate= requires |url= (help)
  • connects Dr. Sicre and defines Alfredos art

External links

• John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellows
• International delegates consider audio technology
• José Gómez Sicre Papers, 1916–1991
• Generation of 52
• The Smithsonian Libraries Collections
• The Getty "union list of artists names"
• Bolivia: general information