Pepe Hidalgo is a Canadian artist with Spanish origins born in 1953 who lives and works in Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
As a connoisseur of history, I look at the different movements, changes, and conflicts that have shaped our modern world. Through this perspective, I create magical realistic paintings using my brush to animate landscapes that manifest questions about how we got here. Looking at the past to create modern works attesting to the journey. The journey of being. The journey of beauty. Importantly, I look to ask questions through my work. What is beauty? Where did it come from? What social norms are in place that need challenging for us to see the truth? All viewership is to have experiences when viewing art. My art is no exception. It looks to create a layered approach where one disassociates from reality and enters the world in which I create. In turn, this oftentimes will make you feel a little lonelier about your place in the world. A discomfort that pushes for change. By picking themes that are relevant to me, I look to bridge the river between artist and viewer. This includes picking memorable moments from my life. The great thing about becoming older is not only the library of experience and knowledge I have attained but also the importance that I can share all the other ages I have been.
When it comes to composition, it is important to me to pull on my creativity but also respect those whose shoulders I stand on. The blood that runs through my veins comes with vast histories and cultural influences that are impossible to ignore. The unique colour, line, value, shape and form that I use are all echoed from these influences. However, I look to challenge the past in order to create more modernistic work. Pieces that can stand alone and not only bring about questions but can also provide aesthetic pleasure. I am not looking to create a movement but rather challenge the movements that are already laid down for me and my work to exist. This can be seen in the different series which I have created. There are elements that tie one piece to the next. Additionally, I have looked to utilize different perspectives of the world with which I am less familiar. Looking at collaborating with Eastern artists to balance my Western mindset helps to create incredibly thoughtful work that appeals to a wide audience.
To conclude, my work is meant to culminate in a visual ecstasy for the viewer. It is meant to be representational of my own thoughts, interests, perspectives and memories while looking for connections between past and present. I am conscientious and intentional of the elements of design I implement. Creativity requires copious amounts of courage. Bearing my personal self for the world to see on a canvas can be intimidating but I want to be vulnerable in order to continue to live a fulfilling life. Art speaks where words can no longer explain. This is my purpose. This is my endeavor. This is what I am. This is what I am meant to do.
Pepe Hildalgo, 2023
CV
Pepe Hidalgo
b. 1953
Lives and works in Delta, B.C.
EXHIBITIONS
2024-Kay Meek Art Centre, West Vancouver, CANADA “The Magic of Still Life”
2023-Omar Alonso Gallery, Puerto Vallarta, MEXICO “El perro de Goya”
2023-Manitoba Arts Network, Manitoba, CANADA “Portraits with Movement and The Magic of Still Life”
2022-Art Couture Gallery, White Rock, BC, CANADA “Seduced By the Muses”
2022-True Colour Gallery, North Vancouver, BC, CANADA “Seduced By the Muses”
2022-Lipont Gallery, Richmond, BC, CANADA “Cycle of Life”
2022-Lipont Gallery, Richmond, BC, CANADA “Pepe Hidalgo”
2021-Art Gallery of St. Albert, St. Albert, AB, CANADA https://www.dropbox.com/s/6cjg4o6x255cw68/tourd.mp4?dl=0
2020-Lipont Gallery, Richmond, BC, CANADA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4dco-r5sbs“Origin of Souls”
2020-Cultural Centre of Cape Cod, selected for “While We Were Away” online exhibition, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, USA
2020-Art at the Cave, Washington, USA
2020-Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Oregon, USA
2019-Shadbolt Centre, British Columbia, CANADA
2019-Art at the Cave, Washington, USA
2019-LIpont Gallery, British Columbia, CANADA
2019-Michael Wright Art Gallery, British Columbia, CANADA
2019 -Arts Council of Surrey, Newton Cultural Centre, British Columbia, CANADA
2018 -Foyer Gallery, Squamish, British Columbia, CANADA
2017 -Place de Arts Coquitlam, British Columbia, CANADA
2017 -Abbotsford Community Arts council, British Columbia, CANADA
2017 -West Vancouver Community Arts council, Silk Purse Gallery, British Columbia, CANADA
2016 -The Deer Lake Gallery, The Arts Council of Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA
2015-2017 Participating artist for International Day of the Dead at Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA, with the recognition of the Mexican Consulate
2015 -The Gallery, The Arts Council of New Westminster, British Columbia, CANADA
2014 -Smudges Art Shoppe – The Art House on Mill St., Chilliwack, British Columbia, CANADA
2000-2013 Commissioned work for art collectors, creating a number of Series
2009 -Foundation of the Caixa, Santa Cristina D’Aro, Girona, SPAIN
2000 -Exposicion Sala. Huis 13 Tiel, NETHERLANDS
2000 – 1982 Individual Exhibitions in Spain, Netherlands, Germany, and BELGIUM
AWARDS
2019-Second Place, 2019 POTE: Painting on the Edge, FCA, Title of Painting: Faust Opera
2019 -Artistic Achievement Award, Oil and Water Juried Exhibition, Delta, BC, Title of Painting: My Neighbour Matilda
2018 -Second Place, Three Seasons Art Competition, Vinoscenti Vineyards- Clinton Lee
2018 -Associate Signature Member Status at the Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA)
2017 -First Place in Federation of Canadian Artists, Theme: Canvas Unbound, Title of Painting: The Menina
2015 -Second Place in Federation of Canadian Artists, Theme: Culture, Title of Painting: Kidnapping Europe
2008 -Selection in First Contest de Pintura Libre Fundación Caja Rural Jaén, Title of Painting: Appearance on Monte Perdido
2001 -Selection and Mention of Honor de ZARTE, Title of painting: De J.R. Sender a Miro Pasando por Picasso
1992 -Francisco de Goya Prize, Selection and Exhibition in Conde Duque Sala. Madrid, SPAIN, Title of painting: Equilibrium in Europe
1985 -Second Place “Painting Competition Abroad: Organized by the Ministry of Work” Utrecht-Madrid, NETHERLANDS-SPAIN
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Lipont Gallery, Richmond, AB, Canada
Art Couture Gallery, White Rock, BC, Canada Bruno Massa, Paris, France
Gallery G12, Helsinki, Finland
PUBLICATIONS
2022- Video on collaborative work with Guo Yan and Pepe HIdalgo
2021-Art Gallery of St. Albert, St. Albert, AB, CANADA
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6cjg4o6x255cw68/tourd.mp4?dl=0
2020-Art Habens Art Review, Special Edition March 29, 2020
2019 -Art Avenue – July/August 2019 – 2nd Place, POTE, Faust Opera
2017 -Art Avenue – March/April 2017 – On the Cover – 1st Place, Canvas Unbound, The Menina
2011 -Ciutadans – 2011.núm 8 – Revista de Ciències Socials D’Andorra – Paintings included in the article: Reality and Imagination by Francesca Randazzo
2016 -Ciutadans – 2016.num 13 – Revista de Ciencias Sociales D’Andorra – Paintings included in the article: Avalanche Danger Awareness with Educational Board Game by Luis G. Lopez
2003 -Painting used for a book cover – Los Ninos Indigos by Jose Manuel Piedrafita Moreno
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