by Catalina Guirado, Director; Guirado Estate
Juan Antonio Guirado is a rich spiritual artist whose journey took a transformative turn after he moved to Australia in 1958. During this time, he discovered the Vedas, Eastern philosophy, and metaphysics, which inspired him to shift from portraiture and classical landscapes to abstract surreal "Visions." As human beings, we hold something divine within us, yet we often hesitate to explore our inner selves. In Guirado's paintings, we find the magic that transports us to a profound spiritual realm and encourages reflection on our cosmic existence.
Guirado’s ability to create exploding universes showcases his inspiration drawn from Hindu Vedic tantra, which reflects the connection between cosmic structures and human energy. He uses color and various tools to seek a center for higher inspiration. Many of his works from the 1970s blend Renaissance and Surrealist influences, inspired by artists like El Greco, Goya, and DalÃ, while also incorporating figurative storytelling from his Catholic Spanish roots, which he at times critiques.
I have curated the following essays from the book The Contemporary Andalusian Painter - Juan Antonio Guirado (1996) by Manuel Quintanella, an artist and respected art critic, as well as insights from a newspaper article by Spanish Master Yogi Ramiro Calles. Both are dear friends of Guirado, and together they beautifully capture the essence of his work.
Take your time exploring each painting; the more you look, the more it reveals. Guirado’s art holds secrets that unfold with every gaze, often surprising you without effort. I have lived with certain pieces for years and still discover something new, influenced by my mood or the changing light throughout the day.—Catalina Guirado
The Spiritual Artist
Manuel Quintanella wrote in his book ' The Contemporary Andalucian painter - Juan Antonio Guirado' 1996
"Juan Guirado's appreciation for Vedanta has influenced his artistic technique, guiding him towards the deeper mysteries and effects that reveal themselves in his finished paintings. A key principle of Vedanta is the concept of unity found in the philosophy of Brahman.
For Guirado, the most important aspect of his work is the impact of his completed pieces, which reflect his thoughts on the subject matter. He believes that true tranquility of spirit is essential to life and that this sense of peace is a personal victory. In our existence, connecting with the world around us is vital, yet it can also be a challenge to our calm and inner peace. Guirado observes that people have made their lives unnecessarily complicated, affecting their interactions with others and the environment. This concern leads him to explore recurring themes in his work, which may represent one of his most significant pursuits.'
The duality in Guirado's Vision series may not always resonate, but it is clear upon viewing the pieces. These paintings require a mental engagement from the spectator, invoking imagination and awareness of the moment. Viewers should not only acknowledge their emotional responses but also grasp the mystery that the artwork conveys, understanding the artist's experiences and visions. The past lingers in the subconscious, while the future resides in the superconscious, creating a hypothetical duality. The magic of the artwork unfolds as viewers immerse themselves in the theme.
Guirado’s approach to painting reflects a personal and peaceful philosophy, free from trauma beyond the artwork itself. However, transforming thoughts into visual form is challenging and often fraught with frustration. The key lies in cultivating a calm mind to achieve a tranquil physical state conducive to creating art. Inspiration is paramount, akin to the ancient concept of the divine muse, but diligent study and research are equally essential for artistic success. Guirado’s themes demand a thoughtful effort to capture the intricate details that allow transcendence to emerge. Ultimately, he creates "exploding universes," channeling inspiration through tantra and depicting the connection between cosmic structures and human energy in his paintings.
Tantric art conveys ideas through symbols and figures, where the figures are integrated into the background's geometry. Unlike traditional symbolic ritualism, Guirado's approach to tantric art moves beyond mere symbolism. Some tantric artists have overly relied on symbols, incorporating materials like metal, stone, wood, and even Sanskrit letters to create meditative pieces.
Guirado’s tantric art, while abstract, tells a story that invites meditation. It offers a clearer and more expressive narrative than typical symbolism, encouraging viewers to reflect deeply on its message.
Guirado’s work is not just art; it is designed for a unique audience that appreciates its special qualities. It serves as a powerful tool to challenge mental stagnation and provoke thought.Guirado creates new worlds that encourage our minds to engage and explore. May the mystery within his art be revealed, ensuring it never fades or remains hidden again.
For many years, Guirado has been expressing his thoughts through his art, reflecting the reality of our existence rather than pretending to be a prophet. He confronts the chaotic state of the world, prompting us to question what might lead humanity to its demise, much like the dinosaurs. This reflection resonates with those who think critically and acknowledge our potential tragedy.
In his work, Guirado creates a self-portrait that symbolizes the struggle for sanity amid human folly. Notable pieces in this exhibition include The Thinking Painter, The Prophet, and The Agony of the Guadalquivir, which highlight the environmental issues plaguing Spain's rivers.
The Forest on Fire illustrates the alarming transformation of Spain into a desert, reflecting pressing and harsh realities.
His artwork, such as The Caves of Nerja, evokes feelings of science fiction tainted by our disturbing reality, while Africa’s Madonna de Bosnia starkly reveals the suffering in impoverished nations. Overall, Guirado's work serves as a poignant commentary on the ecological crisis we face, questioning the reasoning of a species capable of such destruction, and leaving us to ponder the true nature of our humanity.
"Â People who have seen or own a piece of work by Guirado say that the painting holds something rare, mysterious, and that it is unknown."
Guirado's message serves as a warning about the realities we face, often overlooked or only partially understood. He alerts us to the true meanings behind hunger, violence, war, and ecological decline—a message that has evolved from his earlier works on the theme of war. His paintings encapsulate the history of human failures in a profound way, making the story clear.
The artist aims to communicate directly with viewers, critics, and journalists, explaining the figures in his work, which often appear as ghosts of the future ( La Profecia shows the shadows of the four horses of the apocalypse) While his art may seem self-explanatory, Guirado believes that it deserves deep contemplation, reflecting the seriousness with which he views our troubled world. However, in a time when many struggle to find peace of mind, he encourages viewers to engage with his art thoughtfully. Despite the torment that surrounds us, Guirado captures this complexity, inviting us to carry the mystery of his work with us as we navigate our reality." - Exerts from ' The Contemporary Andalucian painter - Juan Antonio Guirado' 1996.
ESSAY 2 The Spiritual Artist.
Juan Antonio Guirado: The Intrarealist Painter - By Ramiro Calle 2004
"Juan Antonio Guirado's paintings can initially seem like vibrant kaleidoscopes of color and imagery, but a closer look reveals the profound beauty surrounding us. We are restless beings filled with divinity, often hesitant to pause and explore what lies beyond our immediate world. When we approach Guirado's art with the calm it demands, we discover a magical spiritual realm that prompts us to rethink our place in the cosmos.
Paintings currently avialable from Rediscovered Geniuses exhibition at Red Eight Gallery, London. Contact Julian Usher for details.
This spiritual world becomes clearer through practices like yoga or meditation, allowing us to access deeper self-awareness. Guirado's work is rich with meaning, reflecting countless transformations that never fail to engage us. Each fragment of his paintings showcases the essence of humanity, inviting us to explore the mysteries of life and seek spiritual peace.
As a painter influenced by tantric and Vedantic themes, Guirado addresses the chaos of human injustice—issues like desertification, famine, and mass exodus—mirroring the reality we face. His art serves as a warning, urging us to harness the universe's transformative power constructively.
Inspired by the Vedanta philosophy he discovered in Australia, which emphasizes unity in everything, Guirado paints what he feels compelled to express, culminating in his unique style of Intrarealism. He believes that the energy misused in today's dehumanized world will eventually return to the Self.
His paintings often depict pure white tunnels, with people journeying towards a serene void, symbolizing the awakening of the mind. Guirado's art encourages us to connect our past with the present and envision a better future, revealing the mysteries within us that free us from bondage.
For those open to it, his work inspires a sense of cosmic transformation and ignites an inner energy. Even the less sensitive viewers can feel the unity that flows through all living beings. The more one contemplates his canvases, the deeper the understanding of oneself becomes. Artworks like "The Yogi," "Paradise," and "Senses" are exceptional in what they depict and evoke.
Through his Intrarealism, Guirado cultivates what I call "intravision," a self-reflective process that enhances consciousness. By engaging with his magnificent paintings, viewers gain insight into their own selves, fostering a greater understanding of their existence."
When asked to describe his. painting Guirado is quoted as saying;Â
"I would describe it as intra-realist painting. It is the type of painting that one has to see with the third eye, the eye of the mind." 
QUESADA MENDUIÑA for Idea JaenÂ
"I will simply dwell on the pictorial quality of his art and his extraordinary technique. That he should regard himself as a "spiritual painter" in an era that has surrendered comfortably to the easy path of material life, would lead us to assume that his avant-garde art answers a new need of this society. I would not hesitate- as did the critics commenting on his one man-show at the National Fine Arts Museum in Malta- to define him as a 21st century artist. "
Dame Françoise Tempra, 1976
Edited By Catalina Guirado #spiritualartist #JuanAntonioGuirado #intrarealist #ramirocalle
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