Pedro Cano

With artists like Picasso, Goya and Dali having such a significant influence on 20th Century art, it is easy to forget that Spain’s contemporary artists have also made an impact on the international scene. Pedro Cano is considerably less well known than the masters who went before him, yet has created more than two thousand paintings throughout his career.

Pedro Cano was born in the small Murcian town of Blanca in 1944. He was the youngest of three brothers and studied at Antonio Molina Gonzales school. When Cano was just ten years old, his father passed away, a very sad time, which one of Cano’s older brothers tried to brighten somewhat by giving the youngster a box of colouring crayons. This was the beginning of Cano’s fascination with art and by teaching himself to draw he found release. As his skills improved he took up working with oleo or oil paints, which became his preferred medium.

Cano moved to Madrid to study art at the Academy of San Fernando in 1964, later continuing his studies at the Spanish Academy in Rome. These early journeys seemed to appeal to Cano and over the years he has spent time in New York, Syria, Georgia and Brazil, looking for new influences and exhibiting his collections.

Cano’s first painting was of two trees in bloom, and this is a theme which he has continued throughout his career. Another theme which he enjoys experimenting with is solitude, which he expressed through shape, light and composition through his body of work. One of Cano’s favorite artists is Vermeer, and this influence is evident in his careful and detailed work, which respects classic styles while remaining fresh and vital.

Despite Cano’s love for travel, he remains enchanted by his home town of Blanca where he spends time on a regular basis and is a highly respected member of the community. In honour of Cano’s work, Blanca opened the Fundacion Pedro Cano museum and gallery in November 2010, and he continues to offer regular art events and workshops to locals and visitors to the picturesque town. The final words we’ll leave to Cano, who when asked what he was most proud of in his life, replied “ I was born in Blanca” a comment which sums up his down to earth personality and love of his region.