Artist: Gilles Gorriti

Gilles Gorriti, born in Paris in 1939, emerged as a prominent figure in modern painting, carrying a remarkable artistic lineage. His grandfather, Paul Aïzpiri, was a renowned artist, and his father, Ignacio Gorriti de Aïzpiri, a skilled sculptor, both of whom influenced his early exposure to the arts. At just seventeen, Gorriti held his first solo exhibition at Galerie Morval, a notable accomplishment that propelled him into the Parisian art scene. Soon after, he became a member of the prestigious Salon d’Automne, an important platform for avant-garde artists.

Gorriti’s career took a significant leap in 1962 when the City of Paris acquired one of his paintings, marking the beginning of his rise to international recognition. By 1965, his work had reached Japan, where it was featured in the Fourth International Exhibition of Figurative Art, an event that cemented his status as a global artist. His art was deeply inspired by his extensive travels and his passion for music, particularly Flamenco and classical. These influences can be seen in his vibrant use of color and the emotional depth that permeates his work.

Gorriti’s Mediterranean landscapes, bustling Parisian streets, and intimate interiors are celebrated for their dynamic compositions and expressive color palettes. His mastery of light and color played a key role in his artistic process. As with all painters, Gorriti had the option to employ shading and tinting techniques, but he favored tinting to create clarity and capture the essence of sunlight in his outdoor scenes. This technique allowed him to convey the warmth and purity of Mediterranean light with remarkable realism.

When transitioning to his interior and still life work, Gorriti utilized shading to emphasize the solidity of objects, enhancing the formal relationships between elements in the composition. This shift in approach made his interiors more dynamic, with a greater focus on the physicality of objects. Represented by Findlay Galleries from 1983 until his death in 2019, Gorriti’s work continues to be celebrated in private collections and museums worldwide, including the National Museum of Art in Osaka, Japan.