Roberto Matta
Painter
Chile

Born in Nov. 11, 1911, Chile (deceased Nov. 23, 2002), a son of Spain
Architect, Catholic University Santiago

In 1935, he left to Paris and started working at "Le Corbusier Atelier". In 1936, when he acquainted with Marcel Ducham, left his job and the atelier and started designing. Gordon Onslow Ford, his friend, has told about his designs in this period: "Un-expected Spaces, full of Woven Body, Disturbed Architecture and Supernatural Plants".

Later, when he acquainted with Andre Breton, he became more close to Surrealist movement. His first painting was created in 1938.

He has leant Incas, Aztec and Maya cultures in Mexico, Jose Marti in Lisbon, Surrealism in Paris and he art was completed in Paris and New York. He knew Spanish, French and English and he has lived in Paris, New York, London and Rome.

In 1938-39, he has created two collections: "Psychological Morphologies" and "Inscapes".

In 1939, he traveled to United States and resided in Maine; this made a great change in his works and indeterminate his works.

His travel to Mexico, in 1941, and the intact nature of it creates some kind of volcanoes and galaxies, shaping and bursting, in his new works. Later, he used some elements as water, fire, stone, space, time and movement in his paintings.

His "Abstract Surrealism" works were created during 1943-45, which were rooted from the Surrealism of Marcel Ducham. Later, "New York School" was created by Robert Motherwell and Jackson Pollack upon this experience.

On Nov. 23, 2002, Chile announced 3 days National Mourning.



Caroun Photo Club (CPC)