Félix Aráuz
Félix Aráuz (2 May 1935 – 28 February 2024) was an Ecuadorian painter. Aráuz was among the art circles of Enrique Tábara, Aníbal Villacís, José Carreño, and Juan Villafuerte. In 1957, Aráuz began studying under César Andrade Faini at the School of Fine Arts. During his second year, his father died leaving Aráuz feeling nostalgic and isolated. Aráuz funneled his emotions into his work creating some of the most beautiful, heartfelt and dreamlike imagery to date. Both his use of color and his compositions are strong and designed to leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Aráuz's subjects usually include surreal flower arrangements, the innocence of children, faces, 'trees of life', landscapes and abstracts — all of which are created with a personal dreamlike aesthetic.
In 1967, Aráuz married Nila Villafuerte Estrada, older sister of
In 1970, arranged through his friend, Jaime Andrade, Aráuz exhibited two paintings at the
In 1987, Aráuz traveled to Basel, Switzerland to exhibit with his friend Eloísa Melo. From there, Aráuz traveled to Brussels and exhibited with Víctor Mideros. Finally, Aráuz met up with longtime friend and colleague José Carreño in Paris.
Aráuz was a professor at the School of Fine Arts beginning in 1966 and continued to paint in his studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Aráuz died on 28 February 2024, at the age of 88.[1]
Awards and medals
1965 & 1969 Second Prize, National Hall, October, Guayaquil, Ecuador
1963 & 1972 First Prize, National Hall, October, Guayaquil, Ecuador
1968 Great prize, Gold Medal, National Hall, Guayaquil, Ecuador
1971 Great Prize, National Hall, Guayaquil, Ecuador
1975 Second Prize, National Hall, Guayaquil, Ecuador
1981 Gold Medal of Artistic Merit, granted by the illustrious Municipality of Guayaquil.
1996 Gold Brush Cultural Association.
References
Sources
- Municipalidad de Guayaquil - www.guayaquil.gov.ec/data/salondejulio/antecedentes.htm
- Salvat, Arte Contemporáneo de Ecuador. Salvat Editores Ecuatoriana, S.A., Quito, Ecuador, 1977.
- Arte Ecuatoriano, Salvat, Volume IV.