Fernando Botero's first major exhibition in South China has kicked off at the Guangdong Museum of Art. Over 80 classic works showcase a rich range of media, including oil painting, sculpture, and paper, presenting the exotic life and spiritual landscape of Latin America, focusing on the unique "Boterismo."
Here are things you need to know about the exhibition.
Date: July 4 to November 23, 2025
Venue: Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN) Hall 1-3, 1st floor (广东美术馆白鹅潭馆区一楼1、2、3号厅)
Organizers: Guangdong Museum of Art, Fernando Botero Foundation
Curator: Wang Shaoqiang
Introduction
Fernando Botero (1932–2023) was one of the most iconic artists of Colombia and Latin America in the 20th century. His distinctive visual language—marked by voluminous forms and structured compositions—created a world of humor, order, and vibrant presence. Everyday scenes and figures in his work are transformed through exaggerated proportions and refined brushwork, forming his signature style known as "Boterismo."
Beginning his artistic journey in the 1940s, Botero's career spanned over seven decades. He lived in Mexico, the United States, and Italy, drawing from diverse cultural contexts. Deeply influenced by Italian Renaissance art, his works blend classical composition with a modern spirit, reflecting both timeless harmony and Latin American social realities.
Jointly presented by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Fernando Botero Foundation, this exhibition marks Botero's return to China after the 2015 "Botero in China" tour (Beijing, Shanghai) and his first major show in South China. Featuring 81 key works across themes such as Latin American life, the circus, bullfighting, still life, and sculpture, the exhibition showcases a rich range of media, including oil painting, watercolor, and bronze.
Through this exhibition, the Guangdong Museum of Art invites viewers not only to experience the formal beauty of Botero's art but also to connect with the warmth, depth, and universal resonance embedded in his uniquely Latin American vision.
About the artist
Fernando Botero (1932–2023) was born in Medellín, Colombia, and is one of the most internationally recognized Latin American artists of the 20th century. Working across painting, sculpture, watercolor, and drawing, he held solo exhibitions at institutions such as the Grand Palais in Paris, Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, and the Tokyo Art Gallery in Tokyo. His monumental sculptures have been installed in public spaces in cities including Paris, New York, Madrid, and Florence. Botero passed away in Monaco in 2023. As a national icon of Colombia, he expanded the global presence of Latin American art and secured a lasting place in contemporary art history through his singular vision.
Photo & video: Guangdong Museum of Art
Editor: Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
