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Josep Baqu¨¦s
(Spanish b. 1931)
Born on June 8, 1931 in Montmel¨® near Barcelona, Josep Baqu¨¦s spent his
first years in thecountryside, in an environment where direct contact
with nature, the earth and its fruits, was hismain focus in life. His
tranquil life in the countryside and his whole childhood became suddenly
altered by the Spanish Civil War (1936 ¨C 1939), which left him to live
with his mother and younger sister in the big city of Barcelona at the
age of ten.
After completing his primary education, at the age of 15 Baqu¨¦s began to
apprentice at a textile printing company. His unfavorable living
arrangements, which kept him away from his beloved countryside, created
a longing in Baqu¨¦s that drove him towards artistic expression and
during this time he discovered his abilities to paint and draw. Great
perseverance led him to discover a magical world that he could create
with his own talents ¨C thus he is self-taught in the skills of drawing
and painting.
Due to the dire family situation, Baqu¨¦s was required to work two jobs,
and began working in the world of advertising while also being a
draftsman. Althoughhis time was limited, Baqu¨¦s still painted every
chance he could.
On May 31, 1954 he married Esperanza Lopez Montoya and subsequently had
three children.
Through the years he self-developed his skills as a graphic designer and
in 1957 he took the position of Graphic Design Supervisor in a publicity
enterprise in Barcelona and worked there until opening his own graphic
design studio, Estudi Baqu¨¦s. He also taught graphic design, receiving
the title of professor, at the Escuela Oficial de Publicidad in
Barcelona.
In 1961, with several of his colleagues, Baqu¨¦s founded the Grafistes
FASD, the first association for graphic designers in Spain.
His career has been filled with honors such as representing Spain at the
Japan Print Association in Tokyo in 1969, the Delta de Plata in 1962 and
the prestigious Laus design award in 1971.
His works are in the permanent collection of Museu Monjo of Vilassar de
Mar in Barcelona, the Fundaci¨®n Vila-Casas of Barcelona and in the City
Museum in Tuscany, Italy. During his career he has been honored with
over 100 exhibitions of his work. Galleries in his home country have
consistently exhibited his work and in addition his work has been
exhibited and collected in numerous other countries including the United
States, France, Germany, Sweden, Venezuela, Portugal, India, Canada,
Japan and Belgium.
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