Blava Taula Mexicana (Blue Mexican Table)

e lithograph, "Blava taula Mexicana" pays homage to the beautiful country of Mexico which Alvar lived for a time in his life. The subject is a poetic mixture of elements drawn from the Mexican folk imagination and others from the natural environment of that country displayed in a quilt and presented on a table against a blue backdrop.   This quilt is later featured in a number of Alvar original paintings.  A female figure is at the head of the table, protectively holding a slice of watermelon in her hands as a symbol of the traditional food.  Across the bottom, there are a number of allegorical drawings and watercolors relating to the theme of the work.  This allegorical stripe is hand-watercolored by the artist.  This piece features beautiful embossing details as well.  

More about Alvar:

Alvar Suñol Munoz-Ramos, commonly known as Alvar, was born in 1935 in Montgat, Spain, a Catalan fishing village on the Mediterranean coast near Barcelona.  By the age of 17, he was accepted into the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de San Jorge in Barcelona.  In 1960, he moved to Paris and exhibited with other major Spanish artists including Picasso, Miró, and Dalí.  

Today, Alvar is recognized on an international platform for his exploration of the psychological and historical complexities of art-making and creation in relation to one’s environment and experiences.  The examination of both interiors and exterior spaces place a significant role in all of Alvar’s works.  Alvar strengthens his artistic vision through the use of various mediums including oil paintings, lithographs, watercolors, drawings, bronzes, and ceramic bas relief sculptures.  His works can be found in the permanent collection of over fourteen museums worldwide and he has several public commissions around the world, including his most recent bronze sculpture created in honor of Catalan cellist Pablo Casals that is located in Paris, France. 

Additionally, Alvar has had three consecutive retrospectives since 2014. His first was hosted at Las Casa de Cultura (The Cultural Center) of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.  One year later, Alvar had a second retrospective at the Castell de Benedormiens, in Castell d'Aro, Girona, Spain. Most recently, the Castell de Calonge in Girona, Spain recognized Alvar’s lengthy career from 1954 to 2016 with a retrospective titled, Una Vida Pintant (A Life of Painting).