Miguel Amate

Miguel Amate, a painter and creator of doll-sculptures, spent over thirty years in his studio-gallery in Paris's Marais district. He eventually freed himself from this setting to wander the Parisian streets as a nomad, seeking to stay closer to human reality and rediscover its unusual and profound aspects. He also spent time in Mallorca. Born in Cartagena, Spain, in 1944, with Catalan-Mallorcan roots and a military family background, Amate began painting at the age of seven, inspired by the arid landscapes and playgrounds around him. He studied art in religious schools and under mentors like Don Vicente Ros and Alonso Luzzy, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for Spanish masters like Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.

In the 1960s, he traveled across Europe, working on various artistic projects, from monumental iron sculptures in Sweden to psychedelic paintings in Germany and London. In 1969, he settled in Paris, where he raised a family and lived with them in his studio. During the 1970s, he continued his artistic pursuits, creating relief paintings and grotesque, sexually-themed doll-sculptures in the basement of his studio-gallery-home. This space became the first museum of Artbrutal, drawing an enthusiastic audience and bringing new life to the Marais district.

Artbrutal, which emerged in this environment where time seemed to stand still and traditional institutions were in decline, came alive in the heart of Paris thanks to artists like Amate. His unique contribution to this movement left an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape.