Antonio Casares Palma, was born in Malaga (Spain) in 1938. From a very young age he showed an innate facility for drawing, which soon turned into a deep passion for painting. At the age of nine he moved to Melilla, where he spent the most significant years of his youth and that will make him feel closely linked to his memory.
He began his artistic training between 1951 and 1953, in Melilla, studying at the School of Arts and Crafts while attending high school. He draws in pencil, charcoal and nib.
In 1955 and 1956, Antonio traveled around Morocco (Tetuan, Larache, etc.), painting watercolors of Moroccan themes. And later, in 1957, he settled in Malaga, continuing his training with his uncle, the famous sculptor and painter, Paco Palma Burgos, who opened artistic perspectives in fields such as drawing, sculpture and modeling.
Shortly after, he went to live in Palencia and toured Castile studying the Romanesque monuments and frequenting the workshop of Palencia sculptor Vitorio Macho, studying his work.
In 1964, the painter from Malaga returned to his hometown and there he continued his training in the workshop of Paco Palma. He participated in the carving of sculptures for the City of Úbeda. In 1974, he participated in a wood carving and polychrome course organized by the Ministry of Labor.
«My work is inspired by architecture and the exploration of space; how order and structure manifest themselves in surprising and asymmetrical ways. I am interested in delving into spatial organization and how we can break symmetry to create something visually harmonious and stimulating. To do this, I use a palette that gives prominence to colors: white, shades of blue and yellow, while black defines contours and highlights the structure of the composition. Each piece always starts from a previous sketch. I believe in the power of planning as the basis of creative freedom and, at the same time, in abstraction as a language without limits. My art does not seek to imitate or represent, but to open a space free of figurative references, in which shapes and color combine in a balanced and harmonious way. Through this interaction, I seek to create a pictorial balance that speaks directly to the viewer’s sensibility. I consider that my painting, the result of a constant evolution over time, finds its place within abstract expressionism. This movement, characterized by freedom and emotional expression through color and form, perfectly reflects my search for a creative balance that transcends any reference to reality. My materials, as essential as my concept, allow me to define the space, shape the tonalities and create a unique presence in each work.»
When did your passion for art begin and what did your move to live in Melilla mean in your life?
My passion for art began very early, growing up in an artistic environment in Malaga. My grandfather, Francisco Palma García, sculptor and painter, was a crucial influence in my artistic formation and sensibility. The move to Melilla, at the age of 10, marked a stage of exploration and learning. At the School of Applied Arts in Melilla I had the opportunity to practice various techniques: drawing from life, polychromy, composition, leather and metal embossing. This training was essential for my development as an artist.
Later, another city full of light and color came into your life and I guess Morocco also added new changes both professionally and personally. What do you remember of those moments?
My stay in Morocco, between the ages of 20 and 23, was equally transformative. Cities like Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech allowed me to meet and visit local artists’ studios, enriching my perspective. In addition, I participated in group exhibitions and in the International Art Fair organized in Tetouan. The light and color of Morocco, along with its artistic tradition, left a deep imprint on my work.
Prior to his return to his hometown, Malaga, another city, Palencia and then Castilla, marked a new milestone in his pictorial life through the influence of its monuments. How did it affect his painting in those years?
The period in Palencia and Castilla was a period of deep connection with Romanesque architecture. I visited emblematic monuments in towns like Frómista and Villamuriel de Cerrato, dedicating myself to drawing capitals and architectural elements. This experience fed my interest in structure and volume, characteristics that are reflected in my painting.
Architecture has always been a very important part of your life, why and how is it reflected in your paintings?
Architecture has always been a source of inspiration in my work. Its balance, rhythm and proportion find a natural echo in my way of conceiving pictorial space. This influence translates into compositions that seek to harmonize shapes and colors, creating a solid and expressive internal structure.
Another theme always present in your understanding of art, as well as architecture, has been the concept of space. What can you tell us about this concept?
The concept of space is fundamental in my work. I understand it not only as a background or an environment, but as an active element that interacts with shapes and colors. I look for the space in my paintings to have its own presence and tension, establishing a dialogue between emptiness and matter.
Most artists tend to be people with a special sensitivity. How would you define yourself on a personal level?
On a personal level, I consider myself an observant and reflective person. Sensitivity is indispensable in the creative process, but so is discipline and constant search. I try to maintain an honest connection with my work, exploring new possibilities without losing the essence of my artistic language.
Many of the artists I have had the pleasure of interviewing have spoken to me of a divine connection, of a cosmic force that inspires their diverse techniques. Does that connection with the source also exist for you?
My relationship with creation is more earthly than mystical. I find inspiration in the environment, in light, in architecture, in the careful observation of reality. However, I recognize that there is an intangible component in the act of creating, a kind of connection with something greater than ourselves, which manifests itself in certain moments of the artistic process.
The contemporary art world has suffered many influences over the years. What do you think?
Contemporary art is a broad and diverse territory, the fruit of multiple influences. I believe that innovation is necessary, but so is respect for tradition. Personally, I value proposals that strike a balance between experimentation and a solid base of technical and conceptual knowledge.
Finally, what is the dream that you have not yet realized as an artist and as a human being?
As an artist, I aspire to continue evolving, exploring new languages and formats. As a human being, my desire is to maintain my curiosity and passion for art, sharing my vision with the public and leaving a work that lasts beyond the present time.
Some of his exhibitions
1961-1963: Collective exhibition (aquatints and flomasters) at the Sala de la Diputación de Palencia.
1974-1976: He took part in a collective sculpture exhibition, presenting wood carvings.
1980-1985: He participates in the ‘Certamen Nacional de Pintura y Escultura’ organized by the Delegación de Cultura del Ayuntamiento de Almería.
1986-1988: Presents work in several contests, including the I Painting and Sculpture Contest ‘Pablo Iglesias’ (Malaga) and the I Andalusian Contest of Painting and Sculpture (Centro de Exposiciones Sur, Malaga).
1989-1990: He explores new techniques, combining oils and acrylics with materials such as sand and marble.
1991-2000: Numerous collective and individual exhibitions both in Spain and abroad (Portugal, England, France).
2001-2010: Continues with an outstanding trajectory in national and international exhibitions, consolidating his style.
15.12.2021 – 27.01.2022. Mesh and plate 20X20, Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Dentistas de Málaga , Pasillo de Atocha-Esquina Plaza de Arriola, local 2 CP 29005, Málaga.
29.09.2023 – 29.10.2023. CIES with Art, CIES Clinic Showroom, Calle Ntra. Sra. de las Candelas 14, local 4, 29004 Málaga26.04.2024 – 09.05.2024. International Prize Artist of Europe in Paris – France, Galerie Thuillier , Galerie Thuillier – Rue de Thorigny, 13 – Paris
10.05.2024 – 04.06.2024. Anthology A. Casares Palma, Exhibition Hall Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Málaga , Convenciones & Eventos Conmálaga C/ Curtidores, 1. 29006 – Málaga
28.09.2024 – 18.10.2024. Luminous Art Magic, The Fusion Art Gallery, Polígono Industrial Nueva Campana, nave n° 109, 29660 Marbella, Málaga
29.07.2024 – 04.08.2024. International Art Prize in New York – Manhattan, One Art Space Gallery , One Art Space Gallery – Warren Street, 23 – TriBeCa – Manhattan – NY
25.10.2024 – 30.11.2024. XIV International Picassian Exhibition, Margui López Gallery – ArteAdiscar, La Trocha Shopping Center. Coín (Málaga)
