ESPAÑOL

Francisco Valdivia Gómez es un tallista y escultor que nace en Osuna el 22 mayo 1952, siendo el cuarto de ocho hermanos. En 1979 contrae matrimonio, fruto del cual ha tenido 4 hijos.

Su infancia transcurre en el mismo pueblo y en el seno de una familia cuyos recursos económicos son escasos, pero de gran afición por el arte y la cultura.

A los 15 años toma contacto con la madera en el taller familiar, donde aprende técnicas de talla, pintura y escultura, tanto en madera como en piedra. Destrezas que ya no abandonará, sino que irá ampliando de forma autodidacta a lo largo de su vida.

En 1976 se cierra el taller familiar y el artista empieza a desempeñar oficios de fontanero, jornalero, albañil, apicultor, etc., mientras que paralelamente trabaja en su verdadera profesión. La talla, pintura y escultura, centra todos sus actos en su tiempo libre, desarrollando una fecunda labor creativa. Bebe de la fuente de los clásicos, experimenta con distintos materiales en la pintura y escultura moderna, realiza exposiciones de sus obras en Osuna, Arahal, Gilena y Martos.

Es a partir del 2004 cuando, sin abandonar la pintura, la dedicación de Francisco a la escultura es absoluta. Tras presentar su proyecto de esculpir grandes figuras ibéricas en las paredes al propietario del recinto de "El Coto de las Canteras", éste no duda en contratarlo.

Hoy el lugar es una verdadera galería al aire libre, donde destaca, entre múltiples obras del artista, un mural de más de 110 metros cuadrados con grandes relieves ibéricos, posiblemente la escultura de ese estilo más grande del mundo, dos Tocadores de Cuerna, cuyas figuras, en altorrelieve, alcanzan una altura de 5 metros, con una profundidad de 60cm., ambos tallados en la propia cantera de piedra arenisca; o el León Ibérico, tallado en un bloque de 52 toneladas, también de piedra arenisca, convertido hoy en emblema del lugar.

Son numerosos los medios de comunicación locales, autonómicos, nacionales e internacionales que se han hecho eco directa e indirectamente de sus obras.

Su principal exposición no es temporal, es permanente, ya que es la galería de arte que ha creado en "El Coto de las Canteras", una magnífica obra que perdurará en el tiempo.

Ahora Francisco Valdivia quiere presentar su nueva exposición "Arte y Alma" donde expone algunas de sus mejores obras para el disfrute del visitante.

ENGLISH

Francisco Valdivia is a sculptor and carver born in Osuna on may 22, 1952. He was the fourth of eight siblings. He got married in 1979 and had four children.

He spent his young life in the same town with his family, that had few economic resources, but he became notable because of his big passion for art and culture.

Since he was fifteen, he started working in the small familiar sculpture workshop. He started to learn techniques on painting, sculpture, carving, both in stone and in wood and he obtained knowledge, skills and attitudes that were gradually developed in an autodidactic way throughout his life.

In 1976 the family workshop was closed and the artist started to carry out different tasks: plumber, journeyman, mason, beekeeper, etc., while working simultaneously on his true profession. He focuses all his spare time in carving, painting and sculpture, enlarging his fruitful creative work. He was inspired by the classics, experimented with different materials in modern painting and sculpture and he launched exhibitions of his works in Osuna, Arahal, Gilena and Martos.

Over this period, however, his collection transcended as a parallel world.

It is from 2004 when he would not abandon painting anymore, his dedication to sculpture is absolute. After presenting the project to the owner of "El Coto de las Canteras," he does no doubt to hire him.

Today, this place is an enormous open-air art gallery. It is worth highlighting a mural of over 110 square meters with large Iberian reliefs, possibly the world´s largest Iberian style sculpture; two Horns Musicians, whose Iberian style figures reach 5 meters height and a depth of 60cm., both carved in the sandstone quarry; or the “Iberian Lion” carved into a block of 52 tons of sandstone as well, which is now the emblem of the place. There are many local, regional, national and international media that have echoed his works.

His main exposition is not temporary but permanent ... and more than permanent, because this is the art gallery created in "El Coto de las Canteras," that will endure over time.

Now Francisco Valdivia wants to present his new exposition "Art and Soul" where he exhibits some of his best works for the enjoyment of visitors.