Rafael Canogar

Rafael Canogar (Toledo, 1935) along with Saura, Millares, Feito and Chirino, founded the El Paso group, in 1957. He was in the 1958 Biennale di Venezia and, since that time, has had numerous exhibitions in Europe and the United States, organised workshops, continued a prolific teaching activity, both in Spain and elsewhere, and has been named a member of prestigious institutions and juries. Renowned internationally for his informalist gestural painting, executed in sombre tones, he began at the close of the 60s to introduce figures into his work, entering into social realism, becoming one of its most qualified representatives and in the Transition years after the death of Franco. His work has been distinguished by important awards, such as that bestowed by the Biennale di Venezia (1971) and the Premio Nacional de Artes Plásticas (1982). In 2001, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid dedicated a retrospective exhibition to his work.