Arantzazu
Martinez Peciña
Arantzazu Martínez Peciña was born in Vitoria, Spain, in 1977. She holds a degree from the University of Fine Arts of the Basque Country, a Master's Degree from the New York Academy of Figurative Art, and a specialization in academic realism at the Water Street Atelier in New York.
Her compositions, populated with historical, mystical, and fantastical settings, are sustained by a visual narrative that is profoundly contemporary—a gaze shaped in our time, infused with new ways of sharing and consuming images that leave their mark on the artist’s subconscious.
In her paintings, universal characters and symbols are “remastered,” not as they once were, but as we imagine them today. Eternal motifs are freed from the weight of the past to be reborn with the power and magnetism of a film still. This is not merely the vision of a realist painter—it is a reality reconstructed with the visual intensity of a Hollywood trailer. This fusion gives her work a strong conceptual and emotional depth that moves far beyond simple recreation.
TECHNIQUE
Her technique is always aimed at generating an illusion capable of permeating the viewer and touching their senses, intellect, and emotions. She draws from a wide range of traditional and contemporary techniques to create the illusion of reality and rich painterly qualities. We see the history of painting in her ability to recreate space, three-dimensionality, varied textures, and the light that bathes them—in carefully composed scenes where composition itself carries meaning, and in her masterful handling of color.
EMOTION
Her works are born with the purpose of connecting with our essence and awakening within us feelings of well-being, confidence, strength, and freedom. Every element in the piece contributes to this purpose. The artist perfectly fuses the expressiveness of the human figure—its body language and subtle gestures—with the colors of the scene and the rhythms of the composition.
ATELIER MADRID-CLASSICAL ART STUDIO
In 2013, together with painter Mikel Olazabal, she opened Atelier Madrid.
With the recognition of the Art Renewal Center, Atelier Madrid follows the academic method of learning and, in the heart of the capital, offers both the consistency of training and the quiet focus needed for immersive study. Work is always carried out from life observation, groups remain small, and teaching is personalized in both English and Spanish.
HONORS AND AWARDS
2016-2018
Ibex Collection Masterpiece project – Freedom Reborn Masterpiece.
2015
BEST IN SHOW award ARC Salon with “Absolute trust- The sleeping beauty”
2013
WILLIAM BOUGUEREAU Award:
“Emotion, Theme and the Figure” ARC International Salon with: The Little Mermaid: the rescue.
- Acquisition Award ARC Salon with “The Little Mermaid: the rescue”.
- ARC Living Master Artist Recognition.
2012
Representative of Spain in the international art project “The Image of Russia”.
2009
Commissioned by Lucas Film Ltd: Visions. for Star Wars “Rancor”.
- Acquisition of the painting “Rancor” by George Lucas.
2008
Acquisition of an art piece by MEAM, European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona. “The Witches’ House”
2007
First Place:
Figurative Category award with “The Death of Love”. International 2007 ARC Salon.
- Acquisition of an art piece by MEAM, European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona. “Fallen Angel / El Angel Caído”
EXHIBITIONS
2024
Beyond Realism. China-Spain Exhibition. Royal Palace.
Madrid, Spain
2023
Beyond Realism. Grand National Theatre.
Beijing, China
Beyond Realism. Quan Shanshi Art Center.
Hangzhou, China
Ibex Masters in Bodrum.
Türkiye
Ibex Masters in Cannes at Villa Oxygène.
France
Mimesis, European Museum of Modern Art.
Barcelona, Spain
2022
Art Miami con Galleries Bartoux.
USA
2021
Artlife Fest.
Moscow, Russia
21st Century Art & Science. Museum of Natural Sciences.
Madrid, Spain
2019
Ibex Collection Hong Kong Exhibition.
China
Ibex Collection Singapore Exhibition.
Singapore
2018
Women Artists Today, European Museum of Contemporary Art, MEAM.
Barcelona, Spain
2016
Grand Salon. Salmagundi Club. New York. Group show (GS).
New York, United Estates
2015
Grand Salon. European Museum of Contemporary Art MEAM.
Barcelona, Spain
Another Reality. “La Vaguada” Cultural Center.
Madrid, Spain
2012
The image of Russia . Russian Academy of State Art l.
Moscow, Russia
2011
Art Madrid Fair. Foundation for the Arts and Artists. Crystal Palace.
Madrid, Spain
2010
Exhibition "Something more than realism IV".
Zaragoza, Spain
Figuratives'10. Foundation of Arts and Artists. Royal Mint.
Madrid, Spain
2009
Ormolú Gallery.
Pamplona, Spain
Colours Gallery. Arte Libre.
Edinburgh
2008
Atlanta Art Gallery.
Atlanta, USA
Kaaterskill Fine Arts Gallery.
New York, USA
Meredith Long Gallery.
Houston, TX
2007
Gustavo de Maeztu Museum. Solo exhibition. Show only.
Estella, Spain
Return to Beauty. Ormolú. Solo exhibition. Show only.
Pamplona, Spain
2005
Hirsch Gallery.
New York, USA
2004
Realism Today. Apex Gallery.
Washington, EEUU
2003
Balleroy Vieus. The Forbes Galleries.
New York, USA
