Guto Ajayu
Guto Ajayu (La Paz, Bolivia. 1990) is based between Madrid, Spain and Paris, France. His work explores a context rooted in the nature of human identity and its extension, its past. Notions such as sacredness, symbolism, totem, and tradition are developed in a body of pictorial and sculptural work that seeks to generate multiple narratives. His body of work encompasses cultural and anthropological revisions of past thinking as well as contemporaneity.
His artworks, with numerous hidden messages, create chaotic and complex contexts. The observation of grand contemporary narratives contrasts with personal chronicles that recount his own emotional and mental experiences while attempting to understand his own identity.
Ajayu’s works are laden with totemic symbolism that cuts across historical and cultural eras, aiming to present a timeless concept with identifiable references in the timelines. This conceptual fabric finds its place in the relationships between humans and their identities, as an indelible and inevitable part of their existence. His visual language proposes a figurative representation that coexists with elements of art brut, tachisme, informalism, and urban art, which in turn converge with the artist’s iconographic languages.
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Introduction
Education 2016. Graduate in Fine Arts with Sculpture speciality. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés U.M.S.A. La Paz, Bolivia.2016. Studies in Philosophy. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés U.M.S.A. La Paz, Bolivia.
Biennials
2022. Biennale di Venezia, Warmichacha art Collective, Bolivia`s National Pavilion. Venice, Italy
Individual exhibitions
2023, Upcoming. El Barrio Art Space. New York, U.S.A.
2023. The watermark of oblivion. Knupp gallery. Prague, Czech Republic
2023. Qallta. National Art Museum MNA. La Paz, Bolivia
2022. La dicotomía de un disidente. Santana Art gallery. Madrid, Spain
2022. Artilugios de acero. 10k Contemporary gallery. El Alto, Bolivia
2022. Vincam. Museum of the Foundation of the Ducal Palace of Medinaceli. Medinaceli, Spain
2022. Los fantasmas del futuro. Tambo Quirquincho Museum. La Paz, Bolivia
2022. La verdad sobre tu pasado. Alianza Francesa gallery. La Paz, Bolivia
2021. El origen y el aborigen: Augusto. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. The little giants of Augusto. CCA Clara Tengonoff gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. The night of Augusto. Wilko Art gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Augusto after light (virtual). The Holy Art gallery. London, United Kingdom
2021. Augusto Octavio. Spanish Asociation of Painters and Sculptors (A.E.P.E.). Madrid, Spain
2020. Le noveau capitalisme. Société Ecran D´argent gallery. Paris, France
2019. Emperor. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2018. #LosAndesAreCool. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Madrid, Spain
2014. Augusto and his very commercial art. Ministry of Cultures. La Paz, Bolivia
2014. Expo Muro. San Andres Mayor University (U.M.S.A.). La Paz, Bolivia
Fairs
2023. Festiarte. Eka & Moor gallery. Nerja, Spain.
2023. XX Arteria fair. DEARTE Foundation. Monzón, Spain.
2022. Miami River Art fair. Vicente Heca Arts & Cultural Management. Miami, USA
2022. Luxembourg Art fair. Capital Culture House gallery, Luxembourg
2022. Monaco Art fair. Capital Culture House gallery, Monaco
2021. Artist Experience December. Capital Culture House gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Festiarte. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain 2021. Artist Experience April. Capital Culture House gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Estampa. Pedro Requena Art gallery. Madrid, Spain.
2020. Festiarte. Eka & Moor gallery. Marbella, Spain.
2020. Segunda Feria del Asociacionismo del Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Asociación española de pintores y escultores (AEPE). Madrid, Spain
2019. Luxembourg Art Fair. Capital Culture House gallery, Luxembourg
2019. Salon International D´art Contemporain. Eka & Moor gallery. Paris, France
2019. AIAF. Eka & Moor gallery. Amsterdam, Holland
2019. Almoneda. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2019. Art Marbella. Eka & Moor gallery. Marbella, Spain
2019. Lausanne Art Fair. Eka & Moor gallery. Lausanne, Switzerland
2018. We are Fair. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2018. Salon International D´art Contemporain. Eka & Moor gallery. Paris, France
2018. Almoneda. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2017. Premier Art Fair. Eka & Moor gallery. Hong Kong
Awards and distinctions
2022. Recognition of the cultural contribution of Bolivian art abroad. Departmental Secretary for the Rights of Mother Earth. El Alto, Bolivia
2022. Recognition of the valuable cultural contribution to Bolivian art. Public University of El Alto (U.P.E.A.). El Alto, Bolivia
2021. Finalist, Summer exhibition. Royal Academy of Arts. London, United Kingdom
2021. Recognition of the international artistic work on the European continent. Governor of La Paz Santos Quispe Quispe. La Paz, Bolivia
2021. Recognition as a honorific conference speaker at the Tambo Quirquincho Museum. Autonomous Government of La Paz and Secretariat of Cultures. La Paz, Bolivia
2021. Recognition of cultural value in the international level. Bolivian Association of Plastic Artists (A.B.A.P.). La Paz, Bolivia
2021. Recognition of the valuable cultural contribution to Bolivian art. Public University of El Alto (U.P.E.A.). El Alto, Bolivia
2021. Finalist, XLIX Concurso de pintura Ciudad de Martos. Martos Art Museum. Martos, Spain
2021. 1st prize, Identity International art contest. The Holy Art gallery. London, United Kingdom
2021. Finalist. Homo Natura International art contest. Torremocha de Jarama Art Museum. Torremocha de Jarama, Spain
2020. Finalist. Flamantes International art book. Madrid, Spain
2020. Member of Spanish Asociation of Painters and Sculptors (AEPE)
2019. Finalist, International Painting Contest Villarta
2019. Villarta Cuenca Town Hall. Villarta, Spain
2017. Finalist, Coverontrip 14+1 escenas de viaje International art contest. Madrid, Spain
Others
Collections (museums, institutions and selected)National Museum of Art MNA. La Paz, Bolivia Museum of the Foundation of the Ducal Palace of Medinaceli. Medinaceli, Spain Museum of the Town Hall of Torremocha de Jarama, Spain
Tambo Quirquincho Museum. La Paz, Bolivia
Public University of El Alto (U.P.E.A.). El Alto, Bolivia
Municipality Autonomous Government of La Paz. La Paz, Bolivia
Bolivian Association of Plastic Artists (ABAP). La Paz, Bolivia
Spanish Asociation of Painters and Sculptors (A.E.P.E.). Madrid, Spain
Arce Catacora Collection. President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (2020-2024). La Paz, Bolivia
Choquehuanca Collection. Vice President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (2020-2024). La Paz, Bolivia
Orellana Cruz Collection. Minister of Culture of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (2021-2024). La Paz, Bolivia
Bobaryn López Collection. Vice Minister of Government Coordination and Management of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (2021-2022). La Paz, Bolivia
Chuquimia Mamani Collection. Vice Minister of Institutional and Consular Management of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (2021-2024). La Paz, Bolivia
Quispe Quispe Collection. Governor of the Department of La Paz (2021-2025). La Paz, Bolivia
Heredia Vargas Collection. Chancellor of San Andres Mayor University (U.M.S.A.) (2021-2024). La Paz, Bolivia
Institutional Publications
2022. Art Anthology IV. National Library of Spain. Madrid, Spain
2022. Art Anthology III. National Library of Spain. Madrid, Spain
2021. Great Contemporary Art yearbook 2021. National Library of Spain. Madrid, Spain
2020. Great Contemporary Art yearbook 2020. National Library of Spain. Madrid, Spain
Group exhibitions
2023. I salón de invierno Medinaceli Dearte. Museum of the Foundation of the Ducal Palace of Medinaceli. Medinaceli, Spain
2023. Emperors. Medina gallery. Rome, Italy
2022. Perpetual light. Elsa Victorios gallery. Miami, U.S.A.
2022. Eternal dream. Medina gallery. Rome, Italy
2022. Incandescent. Santana gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Por fin reecuentros. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Continental. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Mexico city, Mexico
2021. Continental. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Juntarte. CCA Clara Tengonoff gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Facade. The Holy art gallery. London, United Kingdom
2021. Federico y sus artistas. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Instantáneas Reminiscencias. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Instantáneas Reminiscencias. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Mexico city, Mexico
2021. Identity. The Holy art gallery. London, United Kingdom
2021. Lumínica metáfora. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Madrid, Spain
2021. Lumínica metáfora. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery. Mexico city, Mexico
2020. La gran exposición de Primavera. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2020. Explosión. Tatuajería Corazón Salvaje. Madrid, Spain
2020. Encuentros con arte de verano. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2020. International exhibition Madrid. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2020. Otoño dorado. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2020. Art Today. Eka & Moor gallery. Madrid, Spain
2020. Mensajeros de la Paz. Centro Riojano de Madrid. Madrid, Spain
2019
2019, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Cumbre 2019”.
2019, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Cumbre 2019”.
2019, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Cumbre 2019”.
2019, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “3er Circuito de Arte México-España”
2019, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “3er Circuito de Arte México-España”
2019, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “3er Circuito de Arte México-España”
2019, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Zona Contempo”
2019, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Zona Contempo”
2019, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Zona Contempo”
2019, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Intercontinental 2019”
2019, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Intercontinental 2019”
2019, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Intercontinental 2019”
2019, Madrid, Spain, Independent Tabacalera Gallery CSA, “Between angels and demons”
2019, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Salón de mayo”
2019, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Salón de mayo”
2019, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Salón de mayo”
2019, Madrid, Spain, Conde Duque Cultural Center, “Haciendo Barrio”
2019, Barcelona, Spain, “A Coloris” gallery
2019, Barcelona, Spain, “Cobeña Barcelona” gallery
2019, Madrid, Spain, Eka & Moor gallery, “Gran exposición de otoño 2019”
2018
2018, Madrid, Spain. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Hispania 2018”
2018, México DF, Mexico. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Hispania 2018”
2018, Madrid, Spain. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “2nd Art Circuit Mexico-Spain”
2018, Mexico DF, Mexico. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery “2nd Art Circuit Mexico-Spain”
2018, Madrid, Spain. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “3rd latinamerican creators encounter”
2018, Mexico DF, Mexico. Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “3rd latinamerican creators encounter”
2018, Madrid, Spain. Matadero, Center of Contemporary Creation, “Tribute to Forges”
2018, Madrid, Spain, Matadero, Watch House and collaboration with Bolivian Embassy, “Cultural event and Bolivian children’s dance in tribute to Juancito Pinto and Genoveva Ríos – Our children, for their Sea”
2018, Madrid, Spain, Conde Duque Cultural Center, “Haciendo Barrio”
2018, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Free Art”
2018, Mexico DF, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Free Art”
2018, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Free Art”
2018, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Intercontinental 2018”
2018, Mexico DF, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Intercontinental 2018”
2018, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Intercontinental 2018”
2018, Madrid, Spain, La Tabacalera independent art gallery”
2018, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Art Fest”.
2018, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Art Fest”.
2018, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “Art Fest”.
2018, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “4to Salón de Arte Iberoamericano en Madrid, CDMX y Puebla”.
2018, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “4to Salón de Arte Iberoamericano en Madrid, CDMX y Puebla”.
2018, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “4to Salón de Arte Iberoamericano en Madrid, CDMX y Puebla”.
2018, CDMX, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “6to Aniversario de promover artistas y forjar collecciones”.
2018, Puebla, Mexico, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery, “6to Aniversario de promover artistas y forjar collecciones”.
2018, Madrid, Spain, Yuri López Kullins (YLK) gallery/galería, “6to Aniversario de promover artistas y forjar collecciones”.
2017
2017, Madrid, Spain Coverontrip. Exhibition“Coverontrip 14+1 escenas de viaje”
2017, Madrid, Spain. Tabacalera Independent Gallery CSA. “Painting and sculpture show
2017, Madrid, Spain. Tabacalera Independent Gallery. “Drawing and engraving”
INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS IN NON-GALLERISTIC SPACES & LIVE PAINTING SHOWS
2019
2019, Madrid, Spain, El Intruso, live painting in the presentation of the álbum «Paradise» from «Kristorn band»
2019, Madrid, Spain, Bastardo Madrid, “Red/Body vs Canvas” performance/live painting
2018
2018, Madrid, Spain, La Tabacalera, live painting in “Versódromo 2018”.
2018, Madrid, Spain, “Warriors” & mural “From Bolivia to Mexico”, El Mezcalito.
2018, Madrid, Spain “Augusto and his Imperial Guard”. ”, Taller de los Locos, ESLA EKO.
2018, Madrid, Spain, “Rosado es Cool” & mural “Little cat”, ADC.
2018, Madrid, Spain, “Red-Eros” & mural “Poder Latino”, Shilote.
2018, Madrid, Spain, “Second Intentions”, Ramsés Life.
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