Antonio López, together with his wife, the painter María Moreno, talks to José María Mezquita after receiving the participants in the workshop at School of Architecture . PHOTO: Manuel Castells

The fifth edition of the "Painting Workshop: masters of figuration", given this year by Antonio López and José María Mezquita at partnership by Juan José Aquerreta from Pamplona, has begun at the University of Navarra. The artists, together with the director of the workshop, Inmaculada Jiménez, received the 30 painters participating in the activity.

Afterwards, Antonio López, accompanied by his wife, the painter María Moreno, and Juan José Aquerreta, went to the Ensanche Market to buy fruits, vegetables and meats, elements used for the composition of a large still life in the workshop, which will last until next Friday, the 13th.

While they were shopping, the painters had no problem taking pictures with several shopkeepers and people who were in the market. Upon his arrival at the School and after composing the still life, Antonio López, award Prince of Asturias of the Arts and award Velázquez of the Plastic Arts, said that he came with the illusion of meeting new painters and getting some fresh air: "It means leaving my daily life and taking a break to talk about what we love and are so interested in: painting".

Juan José Aquerreta and Antonio López at the Ensanche market.

Photo: Manuel Castells

For this master of figuration, there is no distinction between students and teachers in this status: "To relate with the group of painters, with generosity and interest, is what I come here for. I wouldn't talk about students and teachers, we are a group of painters who are here to exchange impressions", he comments.

Zamorano painter José María Mezquita met Antonio López during his programs of study of Fine Arts at the San Fernando Academy in Madrid (1965-1970) and since then they have maintained a good relationship and have coincided in other workshops. "To make the most of this activity, participants must channel all their energies into painting and work hard," says Mezquita. In addition, "respect for reality is of a moral order. It is not something exclusive to the realist style, but to any style or manifestation of the activity of abstraction. Even the culmination of modern art must contribute to explain the universe in which we live," he points out.

The workshop sessions, organized by the School of Architecture and the Cultural Activities Office service of the academic center, will be held until next Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 to 7 pm. In addition, a roundtable is scheduled to be attended by Antonio López, José María Mezquita and Juan José Aquerreta. The meeting, open to the public, will take place in the School of Architecture, on Wednesday, day 11, at 18.30 hours.

During the course of the workshop, students will work on the genres of the figurative tradition, such as still life, the human figure with natural models and landscapes, central motifs of the different sessions, and the students will have the opportunity to share tips, techniques and individual and personal explanations of each teacher.