José Alfonso Espada, a professor in the Graphic Design Program of our Alma Mater, received a special mention for Colombia at the Eighth International Watercolor Triennial, an international event that took place on May 15 at the Bolivarian Museum of Contemporary Art in Santa Marta.

Alongside the Biennale in Mexico, the Barcelona Biennale in Spain, and the Cannobio Biennale in Italy, the International Watercolor Triennial, held in 2024 at the Bolivarian Museum of Contemporary Art in Santa Marta with the Canary Islands Autonomous Community as the special guest, is considered one of the most important events in the art world. We are thrilled to share that at this prestigious event, Professor José Alfonso Espada from the Graphic Design Program received a special mention for Colombia with his watercolor titled “Barrio Bellavista,” standing out among 170 watercolorists from 11 countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia.

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A high-level jury was responsible for selecting the awarded artists during the event. This jury included Eduardo Serrano Vega, an expert curator in Art History, a graduate of New York University, who has distinguished himself as a curator at the Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá and the Casa de Nariño, as well as being the president of the Colombian Association of Museums. Also part of the selection process was María Cristina Pignalosa de Urdaneta, a journalist and art critic, who graduated in Fine Arts from the Universidad de los Andes and holds a Master’s in Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy. Pignalosa de Urdaneta also has a postgraduate degree in 20th Century Art from the National University of Colombia and in Art History and Printmaking.

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It is important to mention that Professor José Alfonso Espada is a true Unicaucano, not only because he is currently affiliated with our Alma Mater, but also because he is a Graphic Designer who graduated from this institution. In addition to being a talented artist and draftsman who dedicated over 10 years to teaching traditional crafts at the Escuela Taller de Popayán, and also giving classes at the Colegio Mayor del Cauca, he has consistently exhibited his work. Through his project "Drawing Popayán," he has explored and perfected urban drawing and watercolor in small formats, producing over 60 works in this field.

Congratulations, Professor, for representing the blue and red of Unicauca with such distinction!

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Thus, from the Universidad del Cauca, we celebrate that Professor José Alfonso Espada has received this special mention at the 8th International Watercolor Triennale, highlighting his talent and dedication in the artistic field. This recognition not only honors his professional career but also positions Colombia and our university on the international art stage. His achievement is an inspiration to our entire academic community and a testament to the commitment and excellence that characterize our faculty.

For more information:

Faculty of Arts
Email: facartes@unicauca.edu.co