Juan Genovés

Juan Genovés was born on May 31, 1930 at 17 Finlandia Street, in the Exposición district of the city of Valencia.

The abrupt sociopolitical events that Spain experienced during his childhood, and which would end up leading to a lasting dictatorial regime, marked the life and work of the painter.

His first formal approach to painting took place in the evening classes of the Artistic Metalwork section of the School of Industrial Experts.

Between 1957 and 1961 he linked up with other artists again, this time with the Parpalló Group, moved by the common interest in renewing the plastic language, which at first tended towards informalism, but which soon each one of the components led towards various places and the group dissolved.

In 1965, a paradigmatic event occurred in his history as a painter and in his relationship with the dictatorial regime, as he held an individual exhibition at the General Directorate of Fine Arts, currently the National Library in Madrid, understood as a true provocation to the dictatorship, which which made the curator, Pepe Escassi, lose his official position and Genovés was not offered a solo exhibition in a public institution again until 1983. Despite this, he continues to be part of exhibitions in different parts of the world and in 1968 he clandestinely created the A.S.A.P.

After Franco's death, and during the convulsive period known as the Spanish Transition, Genovés participated in protest muralist interventions, and as a member of the Communist Party he remained in the anti-fascist struggle along with other painters, creating images for that still illegal party.

With the advent of democracy, Genovés distanced himself from militancy in the way he had previously been involved.

In addition to international recognition, which is still valid, is added institutional recognition in Spain.

Juan Genovés died on May 15, 2020 of natural causes, having been active until the end of his days.