Castellnou, 1971

Joan Ponç   Master Artists

Joan Ponç was born in 1927 in Barcelona. He is a Spanish painter, engraver, draftsman, illustrator and teacher.

Joan Ponç got painting lessons from Ramon Rogent. He also studied at the Visual arts academy where he was taught by Lopez Obrero. Quickly, he joined the circle of Spanish contemporary artists and worked with many of them, including the poet Joan Brossa, philosopher Arnaud Puig or painters like Antoni Tàpies and Joan Joseph Tharrats. He met Joan Miro and Salvador Dali and soon became friends with them.

In the 50's, he went to Sao Paulo, Brazil to open an art school, before coming back to Spain in 1963. Then, he exhibited in several European and American galleries. He was awarded the Grand Prix de Dessin, at the International Biennial of Sao Paulo in 1964.

His work is a true witness to Spanish avant-gardist experiments. His connection with Tapiès, Miro and Dali have an influence on his painting, which is now completely surrealistic. Joan Ponç skilfully combines animal vocabulary to mythology, Gothic with dreamlike scenes.

His work received a wide echo from young artists and influenced the Brazilian production.