"Colourface 2" Painting

Antonio Ismael Loperena Garro, known in the art world as Ismael Loperena, was born on July 11, 1954, in Arguedas, Navarra, Spain. As the son of the renowned sculptor Antonio Loperena, he was raised in an environment saturated with creativity. However, it was in 1979 that he fully committed to his own vocation, formalizing his passion by studying Fine Arts at the University of Bilbao.

A Global Vision and the "Equipo MaLo" Project
Loperena’s artistic evolution has been deeply shaped by his nomadic spirit. His style—a sophisticated blend of figurative art and avant-garde elements—has been enriched by his time spent in France, Portugal, Belgium, Australia, and the United States.

A central pillar of his career is his participation in the Equipo MaLo project, a collaborative artistic venture (often associated with painter Frederick Mazezky). Through this partnership, Loperena boldly explored the tension between Eros and Thanatos—the primordial forces of love and death—taking his conceptual research to new depths of philosophical inquiry.

The Venezuelan Influence (1983–1985)
A defining chapter of his career unfolded in Venezuela. Despite the economic challenges of the era, Loperena successfully honed his technique and integrated into influential social circles. His connection with figures such as Helena Mosquera proved pivotal, leading to prestigious commissions, including a landmark three-meter mural for the Sheraton Hotel in Caracas.

Bohemian Years and Rebirth
Between 1985 and 1988, Loperena immersed himself in the bohemian lifestyle of Alicante. This period of intense living was cut short in 1987 by a near-fatal bout of peritonitis. The experience served as a profound turning point, forcing a reassessment of his life and artistic priorities.

In 1989, he returned to his roots in Navarra, settling first in Tudela and later in Fontellas (2003), where he established himself as a cornerstone of the Ribera de Navarra art scene.

Themes and Philosophy
Loperena’s work is a deep dive into the human condition. His canvases reflect a constant philosophical evolution, where passion and mortality are not merely abstract concepts, but the very pulse of his creative expression. His fascination with the duality of existence remains a signature of his prolific output.