Collection: José Unda

José Unda (1948-Present) is a celebrated abstract artist from Quito Ecuador, who lives in Toronto (Canada) and Quito (Ecuador). He has captured art collectors' attention for nearly 6 decades.

Situated firmly in the abstract camp, José’s work is reminiscent of the Abstract Expressionists of New York City, with influences such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. In 1969 José was instrumental in transforming Ecuadorian artistic modernity by presenting the “Anti-Salon,” with ‘ Los Cuatro Mosqueteros,’ a group of which he is still a part of today. This seminal show earned him a place in Ecuador’s art history. After living and painting in Colombia in the 1970’s and then moving to Canada, José exhibited with Christopher Cutts Gallery in Toronto in the 1980’s and 1990’s, appearing alongside the better-known Ray Mead of the Painters Eleven.

Most recently, having exhibited in 10 countries, José’s art has been featured in several art books and has sold to the private collection of Luciano Benetton (of The United Colors of Benetton) and his public Imago Mundi Collection in Italy. Today, José’s work appears periodically in private and public galleries in Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, the United States, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.

José’s medium of preference is painting with mixed media on canvas and paper using acrylics, oils, pastels and pencils, and working with tools he created. He paints by series, giving several original artworks a singular name.

For discerning art buyers who wish to bring contemplation into their lives, Unda’s works abound with endless signs. The harmonious symbols he manifests are both a reflection of his affinity for art as a form of therapy, and a blending of scientific theories, with oriental philosophies with his own Latin American ancestry. As Ecuadorian author Marco Antonio Rodriquez, wrote, "Unda’s abstraction rises like a star with an infinity of edges and lights, and sinks forever into the canon of Latin American art. “
6+ decades of experience

Exhibited in 10 countries (see flags below)

Had 4 solo and group shows in Ecuador's national and municipal galleries (equivalent to our own National Gallery of Canada and the AGO)

Sold to many private & public collections with Luciano Benetton (Co-Founder of United Colours of Benetton gallery/foundation and his own personal collection in Italy) being his most famous buyer

Published in several art books

Participation in 1969 in a seminal ‘anti-show’ that transformed Ecuadoran artistic modernity – the “Anti-Salon,” led by ‘Cuatro Mosqueteros’ - a group of which he is a part

Studied at Escuela de Bellas Artes. UC. Quito Ecuador and the New School of Art. Toronto, Canada

Contact Information: 

Website

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoseUndaArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseundaart/ 

Email: peter@artsify.io