Juan Carlos Distéfano, versatile Argentine artist, dies at 92

Juan Carlos Distéfano, a multifaceted Argentine artist celebrated for his contributions to painting, drawing, and sculpture, has passed away at the age of 92. His death was confirmed by his longtime partner, writer Griselda Gambaro, with whom he had two children.

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I work with images, not with ideas. Images are not discussed: they are accepted or not.

Distéfano's career was marked by significant recognition, including his works being acquired by the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (Malba) and his participation in the Venice Biennale. He was also a pivotal figure in the Torcuato Di Tella Institute, a significant hub for avant-garde art in Argentina.

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My parents slaughtered pigs. And as a child, I participated in that ceremony that is not very pleasant.

Born in Villa Celina, Distéfano's artistic vision was often shaped by his upbringing. He drew inspiration from his family's background in pig slaughtering and their farm in Tapiales, experiences he translated into powerful visual narratives. His painting "Cabalgata" (1966), which incorporates three-dimensional elements, exemplifies this transition from painting to sculpture and is now part of the Malba's collection.

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I started as a graphic designer. What I wanted to do was painting.

Initially trained as a graphic designer, Distéfano pursued his passion for painting, eventually exploring sculpture with a profound sense of pleasure. He studied under Luis Barragán at the School of Industrial Graphic Arts and later became a drawing professor. His artistic journey was intertwined with the Argentine art scene, collaborating with artists like Rómulo Macciò and meeting Griselda Gambaro through her brother Obdulio.

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Upon moving into the third dimension and taking up clay, I could never leave it again because of the pleasure it gives me.