Juan José Aquerreta studied drawing and painting at the Pamplona School of Arts and Crafts. In 1966 he moved to Madrid and enrolled at the School of Fine Arts of San Fernando, where he studied under Antonio López García. In 1983 he took up a teaching post at the School of Arts in Pamplona. Since the 1970s he has been producing art linked to the so-called Pamplona School, along with artists such as Pedro Salaberri, Pello Azketa and Mariano Royo. However, his solitary nature means that his work is linked more closely to metaphysical painting and the work of Giorgio Morandi. This can be seen in the synthetic treatment of his compositions, which start from linear preliminary drawings with faint, blurred colours, and in the recurring themes in his work, such as the human figure and self-portraits, landscapes (usually empty) where the countryside borders on the city, and still-lifes. At the turn of the 21st century his work became influenced by the religious themes and techniques of Byzantine icons, which made it even more timeless.
In 1973 he put on his first one-man show at the Sen Gallery in Madrid, and continues to exhibit work at Spanish galleries. He has also been a member of numerous groups devoted to Basque and Navarrese art and joined the 15th Salón de los 16 (Madrid, 1995). In 2001 he received the National Award for Plastic Arts and two years later the Prince of Viana Award for Culture.
Juan José Aquerreta studied drawing and painting at the Pamplona School of Arts and Crafts. In 1966 he moved to Madrid and enrolled at the School of Fine Arts of San Fernando, where he studied under Antonio López García. In 1983 he took up a teaching post at the School of Arts in Pamplona. Since the 1970s he has been producing art linked to the so-called Pamplona School, along with artists such as Pedro Salaberri, Pello Azketa and Mariano Royo. However, his solitary nature means that his work is linked more closely to metaphysical painting and the work of Giorgio Morandi. This can be seen in the synthetic treatment of his compositions, which start from linear preliminary drawings with faint, blurred colours, and in the recurring themes in his work, such as the human figure and self-portraits, landscapes (usually empty) where the countryside borders on the city, and still-lifes. At the turn of the 21st century his work became influenced by the religious themes and techniques of Byzantine icons, which made it even more timeless.
In 1973 he put on his first one-man show at the Sen Gallery in Madrid, and continues to exhibit work at Spanish galleries. He has also been a member of numerous groups devoted to Basque and Navarrese art and joined the 15th Salón de los 16 (Madrid, 1995). In 2001 he received the National Award for Plastic Arts and two years later the Prince of Viana Award for Culture.