User talk:Blanco Museum

Antonio Blanco was born on September 15, 1911, in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Both of his parents were Spanish, a fact that Blanco believed linked him geographically and spiritually to Miro and Salvador Dali. His father settled in Manila during the Spanish - American War, where he attained prominence as a physician. Blanco was educated at the American Central School in Manila. During his high school years he loved the arts, literature and language classes but struggled in scientific subjects. It is no wonder that he spoke six languages - Spanish, French, English, Tagalog, Indonesian and a bit of Balinese. After completing high school in Manila, Blanco studied at the National Academy of Art in New York under Sidney Dickinson. During those early formative years, Blanco concentrated on the human form, fascinated by the female body more than any other subject matter. To further his studies and ignite his traveling spirit, he traveled extensively throughout the world before he finally landed in Bali in 1952.The King of Ubud gave Blanco a piece of land to set up his home and studio in Campuan, Ubud, at the confluence of two sacred rivers. Blanco and his Balinese wife, the celebrated dancer Ni Ronji, lived in their mountain retreat, barely leaving it for the world outside. Following a brief trip to the United States, where Blanco acquired many new collectors, the couple never left their fantasy home again.

Living in serene surroundings with his four children, Tjempaka, Mario, Orchid and Maha Devi, Bali became Blanco's center. He was fascinated by the island and completely captivated by its charm.

Blanco lived and worked in his magical hilltop home until his death in 1999, feverishly creating his fantasy portraits of beautiful women. Surrounded by lush gardens, rice fields and with a Banyan tree standing over his family's temple, Antonio Blanco proceeded to create a new reality for himself. His artistic outpourings of this isolated world became much sought after by eager art lovers, collectors and promoters. Within a few years, Blanco became the most famous foreign artist to make Bali his home. He was recognized in both Indonesia and abroad, receiving numerous Blanco Awards and commanding huge prizes at international auctions.

During his life, Don Antonio Blanco had received many awards, among which feature :

* The Tiffany Fellowship (USA) * The Cannon Prize (New York City) * The Suydam Bronze Medal (National Academy of Art and Design New York City) * The Most Popular Painting Award (USA) * Honorable Mention (Honolulu Academy of Art USA) * The Best Portrait Award (Society of Honolulu Artist USA) * Special Award (Waikiki Artists Colony, Hawaii, USA) * Silver Medal and Scroll Decoration - Chevalier du Sahametrei by his Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk Varman (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) * One Among the Society of Painters of Fine Art Quality - Autographed Testimonial, IR. Soekarno - President of the Republic of Indonesia * Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy (PH.D) Diploma - National College Windsor (Canada) * Membro D'Onore - Ass. Inter.Cavallieri di S. Andrea di Caffa (Napoli, Italia) * Honorary Membership -Japan Water Colour Society "Waves of the Ocean" (Tokyo,Japan) * Premio De La Critca De Arte - Otorgado al Pintor Y Poeta Don Antonio Maria Blanco por la Exposicion des sus Poemas Pintados En (Barcelona - Spain). * Cruz de Caballero by King Juan Carlos I, Rey De Espana awarded in 24 of June1992 * Dharma Kusuma granted by the Government of Bali in 1997