José María Lillo lives and works in Cuenca, Spain. The work of José María Lillo invites us to reflect on the symbolic significance and potency of trees. In his diptychs, made solely from tree materials such as charcoal and paper, he challenges us to reconsider our perspective on nature. Using intense black greasy charcoal, Lillo emphasizes the individuality and skin of each tree. By splitting the perspective between the trunk and the crown, he opens a view of the tree as a living being as well as a historical witness.
Through his works, Lillo addresses the difference between the emotional experience of a tree in its natural habitat and the intimate process of drawing in the studio. The exhibition thus becomes a reflection on knowledge and perception, inspired by the philosophy of Jorge Wagensberg that emphasises the importance of viewpoint above all else.
Since 1980 Lillo has continued to exhibit his work regularly, primarily in Spain and the United States. In addition to his artistic practice, he teaches at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cuenca, where he is currently a professor of painting.
His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in the Casas Colgadas in Cuenca, the Juan March Foundation, the La Caixa Collection, the Antonio Pérez Foundation, the Museum of Santa Cruz, the University of California Museum, O Lugar do Disegno in Porto, and many others.
