Juan Escudero

(Bilbao, 1966)

Atlántico

2023

Print (etching) on paper (12/60)

56.4 x 77.4 cm

Inv. no. 558912

BBVA Collection Spain



In his work, and this is equally true for his painting and his printmaking, far from focusing on the representation of objects or figures, Escudero concentrates on the creative process itself, in which aspects such as time, movement, dynamics, the mechanisms of automatic drawing and even the printing process itself are essential elements. In his own words: "When I draw, I impose the condition of leaving all the marks I make without any corrections. I use a system where one line anticipates the next, and if there is any irregularity, then this is reflected in the following line... The main idea when I draw is not to represent something but to activate a process. It's like the drawings we doodle unconsciously while talking on the phone. It’s like musical improv, automatic writing, a flow in the present without any corrections."
Although he generally leans towards abstraction, Escudero acknowledges that his most recent works are influenced by his concern with the fragility of the environment, exacerbated by climate change. He endeavours to convey the idea of the resilience of nature subjected to constant changes. On the other hand, he defends the bond between art and craft, as readily borne out by his disciplined and meticulous dedication to drawing, engraving and printmaking.
This work entered the BBVA Collection in 2023 thanks to the BBVA Acquisition Award at the 12th FIG Bilbao held annually at Palacio Euskalduna. The primary goal of this specialized art fair is to promote printmaking and work on paper, not just modern and contemporary but also from all eras.