Danish artist celebrates 100 years in Mijas with new exhibition

The Mijas contemporary art centre in Calle Málaga is currently hosting an exhibition of paintings by renowned Danish national Kurt Ard, an artist who celebrates his centenary this month. The artist has spent more than half his life living in Spain, specifically in Andalucía. The exhibition is open until 12th February and consists of 19 acrylics on wood and cardboard. Almost all the pieces are based on 1980s customs and tradition, but one piece was inspired by Denmark.

“My father’s paintings depict life in the past, what people did and how festivals and fairs used to be.” Peter Ard represented his father, and he explained that the paintings also depict scenes of nature.

The painting is characterized by its remarkable realism, and the profusion of details. At times, it can be difficult to distinguish from a photo.

Francisco Javier Fructuoso explained that “Kurt’s works caught our attention and we thought they could evoke a nostalgic feeling in people as well as allow them to appreciate their exceptional quality.”

Ard, born 20 December 1925 in Copenhagen, emigrated in 1950 to New York and started a career in illustration for newspapers and magazines. In 1953 he returned to Denmark. He moved to Spain, in 1972.

The self-taught illustrator and graphic artist gained international recognition for a large number of magazine covers he created from the 1950s through to the 70s, including Reader’s Digest, the Scandinavian magazines Allers and Familie Journalen, as well as the German magazine Hörzu.