Artist Statement
While studying design in my native Chile in the 1970s, I became interested in the rock art found in the many areas of my country. Together with my husband Ricardo Guajardo Romero who is also a designer and artist, I visited the solitary and awe-inspiring valleys, mountains, deserts and rock formations of Chile, which are repositories of this art. I traveled to Spain to study the pre-historic caves of Altamira in the Basque country, the home of my paternal ancestors.
My work springs from this research and exploration, and my connection to an ancient past.
For me, the fusion of cultures and experiences has been very prominent in my work. This extraordinary process began in April 2000, when I arrived in the U.S. for the first time. In 2020, I celebrated my 20th Anniversary of life and art in the U.S. In those 20 years, what originated from my original methods has developed into gestural paintings using free spontaneous brush strokes, to evoke a primal and expressionist mode of communication.
My inspirations have been quite diverse and numerous — the rock art of Chile; the music of Czech and Chilean composers; my ancestral places in Catalonia and The Basque Country. My environmental inspiration is reflected in my 2019 series Gaiamama, from Pachamama—the Andean Mother Earth; and Gaia—the primitive goddess of the Land of the Greek.
The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired my most recent series. This inspiration —as shown through my vibrant palette—reflects a significant contrast with the dark climate in which we now live.
With music as my muse, and meditation as my guide, I am enveloped with these transcendental and active elements of inspiration. While painting Meditations series, I listened to Armenian music performed with its ancient traditional instrument, the duduk. It imparts a powerful connection, and with it, the sounds of a collective lament inherent of the current pandemic situation.
Gershwin’ Rhapsody in Blue, and currently Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, have energized and encouraged the colorful brush strokes that are both musical and gestural.
Artist Biography
Jacqueline Unanue is a Chilean-American artist of Basque ancestry living and working in art in Philadelphia since 2000.
She studied graphic design at the Universidad de Chile, Valparaíso, and received formal training in drawing, painting, art history at Fines Art School of Viña del Mar, Chile. While a student, she became interested in the rock art found in Chile, meeting renowned archaeologist, Hans Niemeyer, who soon became her mentor. Unanue traveled extensively through Chile’s Atacama Desert doing on-site rock art research in the solitary valleys, mountains and cliff areas where original ancient rock paintings and carvings exist. In Spain, she studied the pre-historic paintings of the Altamira caves in the Basque Country, the home of her paternal ancestors.
In 1989, Unanue received the invitation to the prestigious Primeras Jornadas del Color, an international art encounter and lecture series in Catalonia, Spain, and the Critic’s Award in Visual Arts from the Valparaíso Art Critics Association in Chile. She was awarded grants sponsored by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile (DIRAC) for her solo exhibits at Guayasamín Foundation in Ecuador (1997), and at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington DC (2000). In 2015, she received the Latin American Women in Art and Cultural Tribute recognition in New York.
Since 1983, Jacqueline Unanue’s work has been numerously shown in both solo and group exhibitions around the world, specifically Chile, Spain, Finland, Ecuador, Argentina, and the United States in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York. In 2015-2016 her traveling exhibit My Ancient Land was shown in Sala de Arte, Embassy of Chile (Washington DC); 3rd Street Gallery (Philadelphia); Sala Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar (Chile); and Casa Elizalde (Barcelona).
During year 2020, she celebrated her 20th Anniversary of life and art in the US exhibiting her recent work in two venues in Philadelphia — Muse Gallery, and Park Towne Place, curated by Inliquid art organization.
Her work resides in many private and public collections in the Americas and Europe. Among them: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA; The PNC Bank Tower Collection, Pittsburgh PA; Gabriela Mistral Campus, Queens, NY; Gabriela Mistral Foundation, New York NY; Diners Club Collection, Quito, Ecuador; and Corporación Cultural, Viña del Mar, Chile.
She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Ricardo Guajardo who is a designer and artist as well. She was a member of 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia for 10 years. Currently, she is represented by Muse Gallery Philadelphia.
Education
1986 - 1987
Centro Arte (Art Center), Viña del Mar, Chile
Textile Art
1981 - 1982
School of Design, Universidad de Chile, Valparaíso, Chile
MFA, Graphic Design
1976 - 1977
Rock Art studies with renowned Archaeologist and Rock Art specialist Hans Niemeyer Santiago, Chile
1975
School of Fine Arts, Viña del Mar, Chile
Drawing, Painting and Art History
1972 - 1977
School of Design, Universidad de Chile, Valparaíso, Chile
Graphic Design
Awards & Honors
2016 One of her work is featured at The Gabriela Mistral Campus, Queens, NY
2015
Image detail of "My Ancient Land, 'Elqui Valley II," included in the book From Chile to the World: 70 years of Gabriela Mistral's Nobel Prize (2015), edited by Gloria Garafulich-Grabois and Marjorie Agosin
Latin American Women in Art and Cultural Tribute recognition in New York, NY
2002, 2003, 2013 and 2015
Independent art studies and Art Museums
One month Travel to Barcelona, Spain
2000
Travel Grant to USA, sponsored by Foreign Affairs Department of Chilean Government, for a series of own exhibitions in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA
1996
Travel Grant to Ecuador, sponsored by Foreign Affairs Department of Chilean Government, for own Art Exhibition in Quito and research on indigenous Quechua culture and textiles (Salasaca, Cayambé and Otavalos)
1989
Two-month travel along Madrid, Barcelona, Gerona, and the Basque Country (Spain), studying art and culture
Honorable Invitation, International Art Encounter, “Primeras Jornades del Color” : Lecture Series and on-site Art works, drawing and painting at Pyreness Catalans, sponsored by Consell Comarcal Pallars Jussà, Catalonia, Spain
Rock Art research, Altamira caves, Santander, Spain
Critic’s Award, Association of Art Critics, Valparaíso, Chile
1980 - 1995, 2016, 2018
Rock Art research, on-site study, photographic documentation and graphic image recovering of: petroglyphs, geoglyphs, and pictographs
Ariquilda, cerros Unitas y Pintados, Azapa, Lluta y Valle del Encanto, Chile
Awards
2016
One of her work is featured at The Gabriela Mistral Campus, Queens, NY
2015
Image detail of "My Ancient Land, 'Elqui Valley II," included in the book From Chile to the World: 70 years of Gabriela Mistral's Nobel Prize (2015), edited by Gloria Garafulich-Grabois and Marjorie Agosin
Latin American Women in Art and Cultural Tribute recognition in New York, NY
2002, 2003, 2013 and 2015
Independent art studies and Art Museums
One month Travel to Barcelona, Spain
2000
Travel Grant to USA, sponsored by Foreign Affairs Department of Chilean Government, for a series of own exhibitions in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA
1996
Travel Grant to Ecuador, sponsored by Foreign Affairs Department of Chilean Government, for own Art Exhibition in Quito and research on indigenous Quechua culture and textiles (Salasaca, Cayambé and Otavalos)
1989
Two-month travel along Madrid, Barcelona, Gerona, and the Basque Country (Spain), studying art and culture
Honorable Invitation, International Art Encounter, “Primeras Jornades del Color” : Lecture Series and on-site Art works, drawing and painting at Pyreness Catalans, sponsored by Consell Comarcal Pallars Jussà, Catalonia, Spain
Rock Art research, Altamira caves, Santander, Spain
Critic’s Award, Association of Art Critics, Valparaíso, Chile
1980 - 1995, 2016, 2018
Rock Art research, on-site study, photographic documentation and graphic image recovering of: petroglyphs, geoglyphs, and pictographs
Ariquilda, cerros Unitas y Pintados, Azapa, Lluta y Valle del Encanto, Chile
Bibliography
2016
“COLOR OUT LOUD, Paintings by Jacqueline Unanue”, Cleaver Magazine, issue #15, September 2016
Frankel, Liliana, “Jacqueline Unanue, Chilean artist, opens a show at St Asaph Gallery,” Al Dia News, Philadelphia, September 2016
2015
"Pintora chilena vuelve a sus origenes con 'Mi Antigua Tierra,'" Arte y Espectáculos, El Mercurio de Valparaíso, Chile, Jueves 23 de Abril, 2015
Wren, Celia, "Homage to Chilean Music," WASHINGTON POST, Washington, DC, March 27, 2015
Hidalgo-Ayala, Ximena, "Latinoamericana en las Artes y la Cultura," Impacto Latino, New York, March 5, 2015
2007
Ledger, Martha, "Art that Rocks," University City Review, Philadelphia, PA, November 7
2004
Levy, Marlene, "Signatures of Civilization: Paintings by Jacqueline Unanue and Tremain Fisher," University City Review, Philadelphia, PA, August 4
Strauss, R.B., "First Friday in August? You bet," University City Review, Philadelphia, PA, August 4
2000
“Miniatures 2000,” Hellen Drutt Gallery, USA and Museum of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland, tour exhibition catalog
“El 2000 de Pablo Neruda,” El Mercurio, Valparaíso, Chile, January 2, newspaper
1997
Córdoba, Ximena, "Memoria Milenaria," Vivienda y Decoración, El Mercurio, Santiago, Chile, September 6, magazine
Swinburn, Gema, “Guía de Exposiciones Instituto Norteamericano,” El Mercurio, Santiago, Chile, May 25, newspaper
1996
“Arte Textil Contemporáneo en Chile,” Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Santiago, Chile, exhibition catalog
Rodríguez, Eugenio, "Ritual de Jacqueline Unanue," El Mercurio, Valparaíso, Chile, December 22, newspaper
“Ritual,” Fundación Guayasamín, Quito, Ecuador, exhibition catalog
1989
“Jornades del Color,” Pallars Jussà, Catalonia, Spain, catalog
Madrenys, Pere, "El Personatge: Jacqueline Unanue," Apunts, Gerona, Spain, October 31, newspaper
1987
Maack, Ana María, "Encuentro con el Ancestral Lenguaje," El Sur, Concepción, Chile, December 20, newspaper
1986
Donoso, Alvaro, “Los Eternos Danzantes,” El Mercurio, Valparaíso, Chile, May 17, newspaper
1985
Labowitz, Pedro, “Drei Aussteller,” In Goethe Institut, El Cóndor, Santiago, Chile, November 23, newspaper
Bindis, Ricardo, “Dos Exposiciones Singulares,” Tercera de la Hora, Santiago, Chile, November 24, newspaper
1983
"Huellas, El Chileno Primitivo," Revista Hoy, Santiago, Chile, October 5 to 11, magazine
Affiliation
Muse Gallery Philadelphia
Inliquid.com, Philadelphia
Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia
APECH Asociación de Pintores y Escultores de Chile (Association of Painters and Sculptors of Chile), Santiago, Chile
Grupo Textil Contemporáneo, Santiago, Chile (during the 80's)
Collection
Private
Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, United States, Spain and Germany
Public Works
Gabriela Mistral Campus, Queens, NY
Gabriela Mistral Foundation US, New York, NY
The PNC Bank Tower Collection, Pittsburgh PA
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
Les Bernardes Gallery, Salt-Gerona, Catalonia, Spain
Consell Comarcal del Pallars Jussa, Catalonia, Spain
Diners Club Collection, Quito, Ecuador
Corporación Cultural, Viña del Mar, Chile
Guayasamín Foundation Collection, Quito, Ecuador
Modern Art Museum M.A.M, Universidad de Valparaíso,Valparaíso, Chile
National History Museum, Santiago, Chile
Chilean Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Santiago, Chile
National Library, Santiago, Chile
Universidad de Concepción, Fine Arts Gallery, Concepción, Chile
North American Institute Art Gallery, Santiago, Chile
Del Lago, Casino – Hotel Collection, Pucón, Chile
Professional Experience
Fine Art
Artist-in-residence at Taller Espacio, Vina del Mar, Chile
Mural design and execution, a commissioned work for Larraín Architects Agency, Santiago, Chile
Stage design/ execution for concerts, commissioned work, Teatro Municipal, Viña del Mar, and Aula Magna Universidad Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
Design
2017, 2018, 2019
Logo design for the Brains Change Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Neuroradiology, Division of Research, during three years
2008-2010
Co-founder and co-director (with her husband Ricardo Guajardo) of Raimi Design, a graphic and textile design Philadelphia-based studio Graphic and textile design, illustration, printmaking and limited edition books for Arte Raimi, a studio co-founded and operated with her husband Ricardo Guajardo, Viña del Mar, Chile
1981-1997
Collaboration with Ligia Unanue Barcelona in clothing textile designs for Rosmari, Next Generation and Tutti Frutti, from Ellery stores, Spaghetti and Parafine (Spain and Japan) and Soleil, Spain
1975-1982
Clothing textile design inspired by pre-Columbian motifs, Taller Unanue, a studio co-founded and co-directed with her sister Ligia Unanue, Viña del Mar, Chile
2000
Logo and corporate design for Kutralco Spa and Stores, Viña del Mar and Santiago, Chile
1981-1982
Graphic Designer, Design Department, Universidad Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
1990
Design and production of Motivos de San Francisco, a book of poetry written by Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral and illustrated by artist Tatiana Alamos. Published by Corporación Cultural Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
1982
Research, writing, design, illustration and production of El Arte Rupestre Chileno, un encuentro con el hombre primitivo, a limited edition, silk-screened book published by Arte Raimi, Viña del Mar, Chile
Teaching
Textile art, design and composition, Taller Espacio, Viña del Mar, Chile
Children’s Art Educational Program, creator and teacher of holistic curriculum for pre-school students that includes painting, drawing, exposure to classical music, yoga exercises, and Spanish language acquisition, Philadelphia, PA
Pre-School in Studio Art Class, West Philadelphia Cooperative School, Philadelphia, PA
Greene Towne School, Philadelphia, PA
