About
María Liz Aquino
I was born in Asunción Paraguay in 1970, where I lived until I was 19 years old. My life as a traveller began when I lived in different countries, such as Germany, the United States, Switzerland and since 2018 I have been living in Japan.
From an early age I loved to draw with crayons, I felt the need to express my creativity through drawing, which later led me to discover the painting. I started studying drawing and painting at The Institute of Visual Arts Veronika Koop in Paraguay, then I continued my studies at the "Hamburger Akademie für Fernstudien".
Later, while living in Switzerland, I met the Swiss artist Jacqueline Busato, who helped me to deepen my knowledge of different painting techniques such as watercolour and collage. I started working on collages with washi and papyrus. I never thought that one day I would live in Japan, the country where Washi comes from. Washi paper is a fascinating material to work with because of its strength, its texture and variety of colours. I combine it with acrylic paints, old Japanese writings, papyrus sheets on handmade paper.
My paintings are mostly abstract, with a lot of structure and vivid, strong colours. I find inspiration in everyday objects like ceramics, or photographs that I take myself, colours and textures I see in nature, on the street or just memories of my travels.
One of the themes that I have been exploring in recent years is the Ñandutí, a traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace that can be white or brightly coloured. I have always wanted to recreate this lace in my work because of its geometric, circular and delicate embroidery which always caught my attention. I use the Ñandutí fabric as an impression or I use it directly in the collage.
Currently I am more focused on making collages with Washi, acrylic painting and pencil. I like to experiment with different materials to achieve unexpected results, creating abstract compositions.
STUDIES
- 2002-2003 drawing and painting studies at Instituto de Artes Visuales, Veronika Koop.
- 2005-2009 study at ABC Kunstschule Paris in the Hamburger Akademie für Fernstudien.
- 2006-2009 worked with the Swiss painter Jacqueline Busato, experimenting with different techniques like watercolour, collage and acrylic.
EXHIBITIONS
- 04.23.2023 Sustainable Paraguay - Galeria Mysha Harajuku - Shibuya, Tokyo.
- 03.05.2022 Color, Ink and Friends. A painting exhibition commemorating International Woman's Day - Shinmei, Ikiiki Plaza, Minato City, Tokyo.
- 09.17.2020 Beyond that Blue - World Art Tokyo - SatelliteS 2020. Terrada Art Complex II, Tokyo.
- 10.01.2019 Sozo Hair & Make, Art Gallery - Shibuya, Tokyo.
- 03.07.2019 collective exhibition “World Art Tokyo - Vibrant Planet”, Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo - Japan.
- 06.20.2017 solo exhibition “Sugerencias Pictóricas”, Viedma Arte Gallery, Asunción - Paraguay.
- 11.29.2013 collective exhibition “Open Spaces” in Cozy classics Collection, Berlin - Germany.
- 08.23.2013 collective exhibition in Forum Altenberg, Bern - Switzerland.
- 07.12.2013 collective exhibition “Encuentro Dachau & Paraguay in Dachau - Germany.
- 05.16.2013 collective exhibition “La Noche Larga de los Consulados”, Hamburg - Germany.
- 11.20.2012 collective exhibition “Lateinamerikanische Kunst der Gegenwart” in Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Eschborn - Germany.
- 09.30.2011 collective exhibition “TURKUAZ, Pintura y Joyas” in favour of "Sonidos de la Tierra" project supported by the Paraguayan Embassy, Berlin - Germany.
- 06.18.2010 collective exhibition “Un Pincel, Cinco Horizontes” in Forum Altenberg, Bern - Switzerland.
- 05.22.2009 collective exhibition “3 Mujeres, 3 Paisajes, 3 Estilos”, Bern - Switzerland.
Exhibitions
September 2009, Konferenz-Center Kramgasse, Bern, Switzerland.
June 2010, Forum Altenberg, Bern, Switzerland.
September 2011, Exhibition to sponsor the "Sounds of the Earth" project of the Master Luis “Sonidos de la tierra" Szarán, Embassy of Paraguay in Berlin, Germany.
