GASTÓN UGALDE

Enfant Terrible of the Bolivian Art Scene

Gastón Ugalde is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of contemporary art in Bolivia.

His work spans video art, land art, photography and conceptual practices, often engaging with landscape, cultural identity and collective memory.

For decades his practice has positioned Bolivian contemporary art within an international dialogue.

Gastón Ugalde, 1944-2023 (Venice Biennale 2009, 2001) is considered the father of contemporary bolivian art. His work is deeply rooted in Bolivian traditions and filled with socio-political references.

He studied architecture (Universidad Mayor de San Andres, La Paz), Economics and Political Science Studies (Simon Fraser University, Canada) and completed his studies at the Vancouver School of Art. Spanning a half-century career, he is considered a video-art pioneer in Latin America and his work includes performance, painting, sculpture, installation, land-art, photography and printmaking.

Since 1972 he has had over 90 solo- shows and over 100 collective exhibitions all over the world. Gastón Ugalde is the most internationally known Bolivian artist and has exhibited at the most important biennales such as Venice (2009, 2001), Sao Paulo (1978, 1981, 1985), Paris (1982) and La Havana (1986, 1999).