Keixeta

Born in Arroa (Gipuzkoa) in 1963, he began to paint on his own at an early age. His closest references are the main representatives of contemporary Basque art of the time: the Gaur group, José Luis Zumeta, Rafael Ruiz Balerdi, Jorge Oteiza, Eduardo Chillida and Burgos. At that time Keixeta's painting was close to abstract expressionism.

In his youth he came into contact with ceramics through the University of Eibar and became interested in the traditional technique of ceramics, while pursuing his contemporary journey. Later he participated as a collective associating sculpture and ceramics, the Aia workshop, before setting up his own studio in Arroa, his birthplace.

There he developed his personal style of painting, using specific materials and personal techniques in a process of continuous experimentation involving acrylic inks and various paper supports to create collage-like works.

Today he continues to experiment in both painting and sculpture, following the path of abstraction but occasionally veering towards the figurative. In his work he constantly talks about his natural environment, especially the "Flysch" cliffs of Zumaia and the sea, his residential environment and his work environment.

He completed his training with silkscreen and lithography courses at Arteleku, San Sebastián, with the artist Don Herbert.

In his long career he has won several awards, the first in 1980, the Prize for Painting and Ceramics from the University of Eibar. In 2004 he won the Goiart Plastic Arts Contest in Ordizia (Gipuzkoa). In addition, he received the first prize of the International Contest of the City of Aoiz in Navarra, prizes awarded by Zumarraga and Urretxu in Gipuzkoa, Amurrio in À€Æ’''lava and Abanto in Bizkaia and the XV National Artists Prize.

He has participated in more than fifty individual and group exhibitions in Donostia, Pamplona, à¢'€'‹à¢'€'‹Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Biarritz, Donibane Garazi, Maule, Madrid, Barcelona, à¢'€'‹à¢'€'‹Santiago de Compostela, Santander, À€Æ’''vila, Marbella and other places. He has also exhibited at art fairs such as Art Madrid.

He has worked as artist in residence in Arteleku, Balneario de Zestoa and Baigorri.

He has created storybooks, record covers and installations and participated in films such as Izenik Gabe 200 x 133 (Zumeta) and Gazta zati bat (Jon Maia).

Since 2010, he has dedicated part of his time to teaching ceramic courses in different schools on lathes, tapers, modeling, enamels, etc.