Quick Facts
Biography
Rocio Urquijo (Madrid, 21 April 1935–9 March 2009) was a Spanish artist, and wife of Philippines industrialist Enrique Zobel.
Biography
She was born to Rosario Novales and Francisco Urquijo. She married Philippines industrialist and former CEO of the Ayala Corporation, Enrique Zobel, becoming mother to Iñigo Zobel and Mercedes Zobel. Enrique Zobel predeceased her in 2004.
Art
Inspiration
Inspired by interior design, architecture, and folk arts, Urquijo's works reflect the atmosphere of the places she visited: Indonesia, Sumatra, Mexico, and various parts of South America and Europe. The artist not only captures the local color and ambiance but also seems to crystallize the magic of these places in her tableaux. "Traveling is for me a great stimulus for creativity. I discover something in every culture." In Sumatra and Bali, for example, it was the geometric designs of the carved and painted doors. The series Oaxaca was inspired by the designs of the Maya. "It's the places (I've) seen and the things (I've) experienced", Urquijo says, "that finally make a work of art."
Urquijo's work was minimal and simple with strong colors. Unlike other construction artists, her mixed media pieces are never somber, but celebrations of color and simplicity.
Studies
- 1965–1966: Understudy to Lee Aguinaldo, artist, Manila, Philippines
- 1968–1969: Understudy to José Hernández, artist, Madrid, Spain
- 1969–1970: Print making with Pandy Aviado, artist, Madrid, Spain; Print-Making with Michael Ponce de León, artist, Casa Americana, Madrid, Spain
Exhibitions
Urquijo exhibited in galleries in Spain, Venezuela, New York City, Singapore, the Philippines, Morocco, and Italy. She was recognized as an exceptional and gifted artist of imagination and ingenuity and won numerous art awards in competitions. Her artwork is in many public and private collections worldwide.
Solo exhibitions
- 2002: Book launch and signing; Rocio Urquijo, Wally Findlay Galleries, New York, New York
- 1998: Nature, Form, Color, Wally Findlay Galleries, Palm Beach, Florida
- 1998: Color, City, Door, Philippine Center, New York, New York
- 1998: Exposicíon de Pictura, Instituto Cervantes, Milan, Italy
- 1997: Patios and Doors, Instituto Cervantes, Manila, Philippines
- 1991: Inaguración, Galería Félix, Caracas, Venezuela
- 1983: Caesium, Fine Art Gallery, Singapore
- 1983: Rocio Urquijo, Luz Gallery, Manila, Philippines
- 1981: Drawings of Rocio Urquijo, Hastings Gallery, Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, New York, New York
- 1979: Dibujos, Sala de Arte Jamete, Cuenca, Spain
- 1971: Información de Turismo, Casa de Cultura, Valencia, Spain
- 1970: Exposition Rocio Urquijo, Luz Gallery, Manila, Philippines
Group exhibitions
- 2001: The Art of Holiday Giving, Wally Findlay Galleries, New York, New York
- 1999: Inaugural East Hampton Exhibition, Wally Findlay Galleries, East Hampton, New York
- 1998: Women of Vision, Wally Findlay Galleries, Palm Beach, Florida
- 1996: Poesía Visual y Experimental, Casa del Teatro, Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
- 1986: Inaguración, Sala Caniego, Mohedas de Granadilla, Spain
- 1985: Reenencuentro Hispano Puertorriqueño, Aula de la Columbia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- 1985: Artistas de la Ciudad Encantatda, Casa de la Cultura, Cuenca, Spain
- 1985: Artistas Hispano-Americanos en Madrid, Lonja de la Casa del Reloj, Araganzuela, Madrid, Spain
- 1985: Artistas Hispano-Puertorriqueño de Artes Plasticas, Museo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
- 1985: 1a Body Space Muestra de Grabado, Ciudad de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
- 1983: I Bienal Hispanoamericana de Dibujo y Grabado, Casa de la Entrevista, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- 1983: I Bienal de Pintura y Escultura, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- 1970: II Print Bienale, Kraków, Poland
- 1970: Becados del Washington Irving Institute, Madrid, Spain
- 1970: Eros 70, Galeria Vandres, Madrid, Spain
- 1969: ABU Group: BenCab, Pandy Aviado, Rocio Urquijo, Sala Honda, Cuenca, Spain
Awards
- 1970: 1st Prize, Etching, II Print Bienale, Kraków, Poland
- 1971: 1st Prize, Etching, Información de Turisimo, Valencia, Spain
- 1972: 1st Prize, Etching, Becados del Washington Irving Institute, Madrid, Spain
- "Rocio Urquijo Biography and Links". artnet. Archived from the original on 2011-08-05.
- Rocio Urquijo (in English and Spanish). Madrid. 2002. ISBN 84-607-4038-2. OCLC 432938917.