Arroyo, Eduardo

b. 1937, Madrid

   Artist

   Best known for his paintings and stage designs, Arroyo is also a creative sculptor, potter and printmaker. After moving to Paris in 1958, Arroyo established himself in the 1960s and 1970s as a painter in the Realismo Crítico (critical realism) style. Perennially interested in the theme of power, his ironical treatments of dictators, for instance in Los cuatro dictadores (The Four Dictators), bullfighters, generals and Spanish gentlemen aroused considerable controversy. He directed the biennial exhibition of plastic arts in Venice in 1976 and was one of the promoters of the exhibition España Vanguardista 1936-76. Later styles and series include portraiture, especially of artist friends, and series of urban subjects such as Toda la ciudad habla de ello (The Whole Town's Talking about it). In 1982 he won the National Prize for Plastic Arts. Notable among his paintings are Velázquez mi padre (My Father Velázquez), 25 años de paz (Twentyfive Years of Peace, an ironic commentary on a Francoist slogan), Miró rehecho (Miró Recreated) and Treinta años después (Thirty Years On). His sculptures include a series of bronze heads of chimney-sweeps, and his stage designs include sets for works by Calderón, Fernando Arrabal and Janacek.

   See also: painting; visual arts

   EAMONN RODGERS