Fabio Hurtado is a Spanish painter and photographer born in Madrid in 1960. He graduated from the Fine Art School of the Complutense University, Madrid. After three years of teaching experience, he started painting professionally in 1988.
His paintings recreate scenes in an almost cinematographic context set within the 1920s and 1930s. His exquisite drawing skills and harmonious use of color create an overall sense of mystery. His stylish and elegant characters invite the viewer to use their imagination in unraveling the narrative of the work.
He was awarded membership of the Rome Academy of Modern Art in 1996 and received numerous other prizes. Her Majesty Queen Sophia of Spain presented him with a Medal of Honour at the BMW Painting Contest. He was also invited to participate in an exhibition celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Spanish Constitution.
“There is an implied interaction between the spectator, the paintings and the artist who encourages the viewer to use his imagination in unravelling and participating in the narrative of the work.”
A stamp collection was issued featuring six of his paintings with the subject “Women and reading”. His paintings can be found in the permanent collections of the Ulster Museum in Belfast and the National Museum of Fine Arts in La Valletta, Malta. His work has also appeared on the front cover of The Financial Times Telecom magazine and La Vanguardia newspaper.
A retrospective exhibition took place in 2017 at Civica Galleria di Palazzo Rocca in Chiavari, Italy, and at Museo Casa Polo in Castellón, Spain, in 2018. He frequently collaborates with non-profit organizations in Europe and Asia. His presence in international art circles has been constant since 1988.
Q: What defines Fabio Hurtado’s artistic style?
A: His cinematic style is defined by scenes set in the 1920s and 1930s, featuring elegant and mysterious characters. His exquisite drawing skills and harmonious use of color create a narrative that encourages viewer participation. His work is serious and conscientious, reflecting timeless unchanging realities of the human condition.