Pedro Chavajay Toc

1972 Born in San Pedro de La Laguna, Guatemala
1980 Began his artistic career
Self-taught artist
Taught his wife and his younger brother how to paint
Belongs to Tzutujil clan; they often dress in bird-like costumes
Has been invited to exhibit in other countries but lack of money and time has prevented this from taking place.

He is part of the “Atitlan” school (“Atitlan” means “next to the water”, and in fact, the people settled near the water) which began in 1949. This school highlights thematic realism, drama, contrasting colors and light, creating a mysteriously charged atmosphere. Custom of celebrating nocturnal market places; great luminosity; intricate details; indigenous people appear rough-skinned, with long “earthy” disproportionate limbs and impenetrable or pained expressions.
The Atitlan compositor often places human figures in the foreground of the canvas; often they are arranged like a chorus.
Aerial views offer unexpected perspective and masterful color selection. Main topics of paintings: daily life, religious life, ethnic medicine for healthy and sick people; human anatomy; and still life.

Group Exhibitions
2003 “The Naןve World”, GINA Gallery of International Naןve Art, Tel Aviv
2004 “Naive Spring” Uri and Rami Nachushtan Museum, Kibbutz Ashdot Yaacov Meuchad, Israel
2006 “Magic Mountains, Mystic Valleys”, GINA Gallery of International Naןve Art, Tel Aviv

Prizes
Has won several prizes for technique originality and creativity

 

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