Rocio Urquijo


Roco Urquijo was a Spanish artist and first wife of Philippines industrialist Enrique Zobel.

Biography

She was born to Rosario Novales and Francisco Urquijo. She married Philippines industrialist and former of the Ayala Corporation, Enrique Zobel, becoming mother to Iñigo Zobel and Mercedes Zobel. Enrique Zobel predeceased her in 2004.

Art

Inspiration

Inspired by interior design, architecture, and folk arts, Urquijo's works reflect the atmosphere of the places she visited: Indonesia, Sumatra, Mexico, and various parts of South America and Europe. The artist not only captures the local color and ambiance but also seems to crystallize the magic of these places in her tableaux. "Traveling is for me a great stimulus for creativity. I discover something in every culture." In Sumatra and Bali, for example, it was the geometric designs of the carved and painted doors. The series Oaxaca was inspired by the designs of the Maya. "It's the places seen and the things experienced", Urquijo says, "that finally make a work of art."
Urquijo's work was minimal and simple with strong colors. Unlike other construction artists, her mixed media pieces are never somber, but celebrations of color and simplicity.

Studies

Urquijo exhibited in galleries in Spain, Venezuela, New York City, Singapore, the Philippines, Morocco, and Italy. She was recognized as an exceptional and gifted artist of imagination and ingenuity and won numerous art awards in competitions. Her artwork is in many public and private collections worldwide.

Solo exhibitions