Now I have to admit that since my last post I’ve not had the chance to pop over to Uruguay to visit Piero Atchugarry Gallery and founder Piero Atchugarry in person. What I can tell you is that whilst doing this story, his gallery has definitely been added to my bucket list of amazing spaces to visit.
Inside Piero’s gallery showcasing the upcoming installation by Tulio Pinto, Athar, 2017. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
Being the son of a prominent contemporary artist from Uruguay, Pablo Atchugarry and the grandson of an art collector, I think it’s amazing that Piero is able to continuing the family tradition of art collectors and artists in this beautiful setting, with a dynamic, young direction and audience. Piero is also currently busy preparing the opening of his second gallery space in Miami next year. Now felt like an opportune moment to share his story.
A sneak preview of the Miami branch of Piero Atchugarry Gallery, opening its doors at the end of 2018. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery
You opened Piero Atchugarry Gallery in September 2013 in Garzón, Uruguay. Tell me a little what that sparked you to found the space?
For me, I believe a gallery’s authenticity and identity stem from the owner’s personal history. This importantly also shapes the vision of the gallery. I was born in Italy to Uruguayan parents with French Basque, Spanish and Italian roots. I think my early exposure to their art-filled history helped lay the foundations to my early involvement in the international art market.
After years of living in London and New York, I found this beautiful building in Garzón after finishing my masters at Christie’s Education NY. Immediately I felt I had found my calling. I soon set out to build a gallery of a new age that previously had not existed in the region. Everything about the gallery relates back to my international background and also honours a longstanding tradition of art in my family.
A nightly view of Piero Atchugarry Gallery – a beacon of contemporary art in the Garzón region in Uruguay. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery
What is happening in Garzón currently which makes it such an attractive place for your gallery?
Garzón is a small but interesting town because it seems to belong to a bygone era. It’s almost like you are stuck in a movie from the past. Perhaps this old charm is what has started to attract a really international crowd. We have visitors coming from Italy, Spain, France, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and the United States. They bring life to the town and make it a very interesting place to present contemporary art – as a kind of contrast to the surrounding as well.
More generally speaking, how would you describe the current art market in Uruguay?
The main Uruguayan art market is definitely centred around the capital of Montevideo and cities like Punta del Este. I’d say the focus in sales in both is on modern art, with artists such as Joaquín Torres-García receiving a lot of attention.
There is also rising interest in post-war artists like Maria Freire and José Pedro Costigliolo. I can proudly say that also my father’s, Pablo Atchugarry’s contribution to the contemporary art scene here has been significant. In the future I hope Uruguay’s contemporary art market becomes more international and experimental.
Pablo Atchugarry, Nest of Dreams, showcase in the gallery’s Sculpture Park. Photo © Pablo Atchugarry Gallery.
Since setting up your gallery program in December 2013, how have you seen it develop?
At first in 2013 we focused on abstract painting and geometric abstraction from the 1960’s. Specifically Italian art was the focus of our exhibitions, mixing various movements of post-war artists. Soon after that, we began to show more mixed European and Latin American art too. So far, we’ve shown Italian masters such as Bruno Munari, Spanish talent Francisco Sobrino and Argentinian artists such as Luis Tomasello.
The first show entirely dedicated to an Uruguayan artist was on the previously mentioned José Pedro Costigliolo. We presented a celebratory mini-retrospective, borrowing works from private collections and showing his development from the 1960’s up to the 1980’s. It was an unforgettable experience to showcase his work here.
Can you tell me about any upcoming exhibitions we can look forward to?
We’re currently organising the solo show of the Brazilian conceptual artist Tulio Pinto, his future work you can see in some of the renderings I shared with you.
Tulio Pinto, Athar, 2017. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery
For his first exhibition in Uruguay and at our gallery, Pinto has created a site specific installation called Athar, where objects like these logs will be interlinked by threads or metal, suspended in mid-air both inside and outside the gallery space.
Outdoor view of Tulio Pinto, Athar, 2017. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
More details of works from the series of Athar by Tulio Pinto, 2017. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
The architecture of the gallery has actually been a main source of inspiration for the artis. The entire installation will become part of a permanent installation for the outdoor sculpture park. Pinto will be in residence with us in Uruguay for a month this autumn. I am very excited to show visitors the new works.
A view of the gallery interior as well as part of the Athar works by Tulio Pinto, 2017. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
You’re also busy preparing the upcoming space in Miami for December 2018. Will this space be a continuation of your gallery in Garzón?
Not exactly a continuation, but there will be some similarities. We want the upcoming gallery space in Miami to be a location for presenting ground-breaking, radical artists. This white cube of 12,000 square feet is subdivided into two main exhibition spaces.
A late evening shot of the Miami branch of Piero Atchugarry Gallery. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
I have put down an ambitious gallery program, where we plan on hosting major installation works by contemporary artists and historical retrospectives. We also want to be showcasing thematic exhibitions around artistic movements.
Like at Garzón, we wanted to keep the element of a blurred division of the indoors and outdoors. With a light space inside and a sculpture park and a patio area outside we will be hosting plenty of events and performances too.
An outside view of the Miami gallery from Piero Atchugarry. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
And finally, how can we best get in touch with you and visit your gallery?
We are very active on social media so you can follow us on Instagram under @pieroatchugarry_gallery. On Facebook just type in Piero Atchugarry Gallery. In addition, we are at the international art fairs in Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle-East, including Art Brussels, Art Düsseldorf, Artissima, EXPO Chicago, Untitled Miami Beach, Zona Maco, SP-Arte and Art Dubai. If you happen to be coming to any of these the upcoming year, make sure to come by and say hello! You can also subscribe to our mailing list on our website.
A work by Pablo Atchugarry, at the SP-Arte contemporary fair, 2016. Photo © Piero Atchugarry Gallery