Chilean art is gaining prominence in the contemporary art scene, with more and more creatives expanding their visibility in international museums, galleries, and fairs. Here is a quick introduction to Chilean artists that every avid contemporary art collector should know.
Top 3 Chilean Artists You Should Get to Know
Cecilia Vicuña is the first person to come to one’s mind when talking about contemporary Chilean art. Vicuña has acquired worldwide fame for poetry and visual artwork. She obtained art education in Chile and London and has become an iconic figure in the present-day Chilean art industry. Her main themes include indigenous peoples of Latin America, the ecological challenges of modernity, and human rights. Art aficionados can get acquainted with Cecilia Vicuña’s works at MoMA in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, among others.
Alfredo Jaar also deserves a separate mention in the discussion of Chilean art because of his unique style blending architectural, photographic, and theatrical elements. His best-known works are the 1994-2000 “Rwanda Project” and the performative installation “The Cloud” created on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
Voluspa Jarpa is a creative from Chile with the highest level of international visibility today. Her signature style is a fusion of painting and installation, with many notable art objects exploring the themes of collective history, identity, and memory. One of her recent projects “Altered Views” was featured at the Venice Biennale 2019 to present the artist’s unique vision of a counter-colonial and anti-hegemonic view of Chile.
Best Places to Get Acquainted with Chilean Art
If you reside far from Chile, it’s not a reason to deny yourself the pleasure of admiring the work of Chilean artists. Here is a list of top US galleries and museums that feature collections of Chilean art and can help you embrace its uniqueness in person.
- The National Gallery of Art features a large collection of Chilean contemporary art, with 160+ paintings, watercolors, drawings, sculptures, and prints available for visitors.
- MoMA has a rich variety of works by Chilean artists, which can be found on the handy map of the museum.
- The Denver Art Museum has one of the most comprehensive Latin American art collections across the USA, including Chilean art.
- The Yale University Art Gallery has a large collection of Chilean art available for viewing.
These are only a few of the numerous venues where you can appreciate Chilean art in all its diversity and find the artists and styles that speak to you.
