Paulino Astudillo Olivares, is a State Professor of Fine Arts, graduated from the University of Chile, who has led a life dedicated to painting and teaching. His story and legacy are remarkable, marked by his passion for art and his commitment to education. He was born in Taltal, and old saltpeter port in the Norte Grande of Chile, his imagination was forged among steam trains, fishermen’s coves, desolate beaches, cactus, and stories forgotten in time. These early experiences inspired him to capture them on notebook pages, and his drawings became a reflection of his desire to study away from his loved ones to follow his dreams.
Returning to Iquique in 1991, he founded the School of Drawing and Painting “Atelier” at the Municipal Theater, which he has directed for 33 years.
Simultaneously, Paulino joined the Ilustre Municipalidad of Iquique, where he held the position of Inspector of the newly created Gaming Casino and later served as clerk of the Second Local Police Court. In 1998, he decided to retire from public office to devote himself entirely to his “Atelier”. That same year, he began studying architecture at the University Arturo Prat.
In 2000, the Arturo Prat University invited him as an academic fee to teach Didactics and Evaluation of the Arts and Artistic Expression in Iquique, and at the Unap in Calama and Antofagasta. In addition, he completed his Maste’s degree in Higher Education with a specialization in University Teaching at the same institution. It was at this university where he created and directed to successful version of postgraduate courses in Visual Arts for secondary school teachers.
In 2010, the Arturo Prat University distinguished him with the Academic Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding work. He remained working at the university for 18 years.
Over the years, Paulino has held diverse roles in the educational environment, as Professor of Plastic Arts and Technology, and General Inspector in several schools, including Antamara School, Eagle Collage, Kronos School, and currently, the Violeta Parra Artistic School in Iquique.
Paulino Astudillo Olivares in an exemplary figure who has left a significant mark in the arts and education in Chile. His dedication to teaching and his contribution to artistic development are invaluable.
Trajectory and contributions
His career as a plastic arts teacher began in the capital city, where he played an important role as General Inspector and Deputy Director of the Rey Juan Carlos School in the La Granje commune. In Santiago, he perfected his skills as a painter. In 1983, he married Anita Luisa Ormazabal López, his colleague in the same specialty, she was born in the Oficina Salitrera Victoria.
In 1986, he moved to Iquique city, where he worked as a counselor at the Cami Juvenile Welfare Center. The following year, he founded the Cami School, where he assumed the position of Director. During this time, he also obtained his bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Arturo Prat and became involved in teacher’s union activities, holding different positions.
In 1988, he moved to Pozo Almonte and became the head of the Department of Education and Health of that commune, participating in the establishment of the Municipal Corporation and serving as its first general secretary until 1990.
In 1989, he joined at the National Academy of Political and Strategic Studies (Anepe), where he acquired training in security and national development.
Awards received
During his long years as a teacher and painter, he has received different awards and distinctions; among them are:
1987
Distinguished by Ministry of Education, Tarapacá Region, SECREDUC, for outstanding participation in the IV Teacher’s Biennial.
1996
Awarded by Radio Santiago at the Best of the Year Recognition as the most outstanding painter of the year.
2004
Winner of FONDART, National Fund for Cultural and Arts Development of Chile, 2004.
2010
Award for Academic Excellence, granted by the University Arturo Prat.
2022
Recognition from the Municipal Corporation of Pozo Almonte for participating in its foundation.
1992
Honorable Mention in the “Art In Situ National Contest,” “El Color del Sur” in Puerto Varas.
2000
First place in Art In Situ, Mall Las Américas Contest in Iquique.
2006
Recognition for Lifetime Achievement Award at the V Regional Salon of Visual Arts, University of Tarapacá – Arica.
2021
Winner of the “Guillermo Jorquera Morales Award,” presented by the Ministry of Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, as the most distinguished artist in Iquique.
Artistic activities
He was the president of the advisory committee for the Council of Culture and Arts of Tarapacá.
At the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, he served as a Fondart judge and Fondart evaluator.
1990-2006: Organized exhibitions with his students in the Foyer of the Municipal Theater.
1993: Painted the portrait of the celebrated Iquiquean basketball player, Lorenzo Pardo, exhibited at the Sport’s House.
1995: Panelist on the art program “Good Morning Tarapaca” on TELENORTE TV channel.
1995-1996: Consultant for art projects at the University of Tarapacá.
1996: Seminar on the “Issues of Local Art” at the Astoreca Palace.
1999: Graphic collaborator for the newspaper “El Nortino”: featuring texts by Patricio Riveros, and illustrations by Paulino Astudillo.
1999: Participated in the Organizing Committee of the Iquique Painters’ Association.
2000: Founded the Association of Iquiquean Painters along with other artists.
2004: Published a magazine (compendium) that brings together various art techniques explained in a didactic manner.
2007-2008: Served as a regional Fondart judge.
2009: Hosted the radio program “Art stories” on Radio UNAP FM.
2010-2012: Member of the Advisory Committee for the Regional Council of Culture and Arts of Tarapacá.
2020: Won the National PAOCC Project from the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage.
“The Program for Support to Collaborating Cultural Organizations (PAOCC) aims to provide funding to cultural organizations that create programming, implement participation initiatives, and promote artistic creation and experimentation, enabling them to strengthen their teams and maintain the continuity of their activities.”
2020-2021: Conducted online classes for Atelier students, broadcasted by Iquique Televisión.
2021: Resumed in-person classes at his Le Petite Atelier.
2021: The IN-SITU Cultural Magazine published the activities of the Academy in two publications.
2021: Distributed the PAOCC project’s rewards to students at the “Violeta Parra” School.
Exhibitions held
As a Visual Artist, he has showcased his work in various regions of Chile and on the international stage.
He has exhibited in culturally significant cities such as Santiago, Arica, Taltal, Pica, Puerto Varas, and his hometown of Iquique.
On the international stage, he has participated in collective exhibitions in Mexico City. His most notable accomplishment was receiving an invitation to exhibit at the Parallax Art Fair in London, an opportunity made possible through the support of the Regional Government of Tarapacá.
1979 - 1989
1979: Student Exhibition, University of Chile, Arica.
1980: Centenary Exhibition, University of Chile. 1980: Watercolor Collective at Enrico Buci Hall, Arica.
1982: Participation in the National Contest at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Santiago.
1985: Exhibition “Four Professors in Art,” Santiago.
1987: Joint exhibition with his wife Anita Ormazabal at the Casino Español in Iquique.
1987-1992: Biennials of Tarapaqueño Teachers in Arica and Iquique. Organized by SECREDUC.
1990 - 1999
1990: Initiates exhibitions in the Foyer of the Municipal Theater, which have been consistently maintained.
1990-1999: Exhibitor in the “Salons of Iquiquean Painters,” organized by the Astoreca Palace.
1991: Solo exhibition “Oils and Watercolors” at the International Theater Municipal Hall.
1992: Participates in the national contest “El Color del Sur” in Puerto Varas.
1992: Itinerant Exhibition “El Color del Sur” is displayed in Puerto Varas, Santiago (Bellas Artes Museum), Mexico City, Arica, and Iquique.
1992: National Meeting of Painters and Art In Situ, Puerto Octay (X Region).
1993: Solo exhibition “18th Anniversary of Zofri,” Watercolors.
1993: “Canvas, Brushes, and Colors” exhibition with his students at the Casino of Iquique.
1993: Participates in the III Contest “El Color del Sur” in Puerto Varas and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Santiago.
1995: Exhibition “Anniversary of Iquique” at the International Hall, Municipal Theater.
1997: Collective exhibition “On Board” in Iquique and Santiago.
1997: Collective exhibition “The Visitors,” in Iquique and Santiago.
1998: Solo exhibition “Cultural Hall of Taltal.” Invited by the Municipality.
1998: Collective exhibition “Zofri Anniversary” at the Zofrisa events hall.
1998: Solo exhibition “Dreams in Colors,” Municipal Theater.
1998: Solo exhibition “Norte Grande” in Santiago at the Chilean Chamber of Construction.
1999: Salons of Iquiquean Painters and Art In Situ, Astoreca Palace and Prat Square.
2000 - 2009
2000: Collective exhibition, Mall Las Américas.
2000: Collective exhibition, Mall Zofri.
2000: “Glorias Navales” exhibition, Municipal Theater.
2000: Personal exhibition sponsored by Coaniquem, Mall Las Américas.
2001: Exhibition and Auction of Works, Casino de Juegos.
2002: Exhibition and Anniversary of Atelier, Municipal Theater.
2002: Exhibition and Graduation of students at Palacio Astoreca.
2003: Atelier Expo 2003, Former Customs Building.
2004: Atelier Expo, Municipal Theater.
2004: Exhibition of the winning FONDART project, “Rescue of technical resources applied to painting in a Regionalist Morphology, exhibition, and compendium.” Launch of the compendium publication.
2005: Atelier Expo 2005, Croata.
2006: Atelier Expo, Municipal Theater.
2006: Visual Arts in Iquique, Collahuasi Art Gallery. Regional Council of Culture and the Arts: Collective Exhibition.
2006: “Recognition for Career” at the V Regional Salon of Visual Arts, University of Tarapacá – Arica.
2007: Winter Salon, Expo for the 17 years of Atelier – Palacio Astoreca.
2007: Exhibition and Graduation of Atelier students, Palacio Astoreca.
2008: Winter Salon, Expo for the 17 years of Atelier – Palacio Astoreca and Municipal Theater.
2008-2009: Exhibition and Graduation of Atelier students, Palacio Astoreca.
2008: Selected exhibitor in the regional Arte Norte contest.
2009: Selected exhibitor in the Arte Norte competition.
2009: Chile Triennial 2009, Neo Geoglyph – Intervention on Cerro Dragón.
2010 - 2019
2010: Solo exhibition “Only for Your Eyes,” Oils on canvas and mixed media. Palacio Astoreca – Iquique.
2012: Solo exhibition “Between Stains and Realism,” Oils on canvas. Casino Dreams – Iquique.
2013: Solo exhibition at the Collahuasi Art Gallery in Iquique.
2013: Annual gala exhibition of his students at the Palacio Astoreca Gallery.
2014: Annual gala exhibition of his students at the Palacio Astoreca Gallery.
2015: Annual gala exhibition of his students at the Palacio Astoreca Gallery.
2016: Annual gala exhibition of his students at the Sala De la Cultura.
2018: Exhibition in London at the Parallax Art Fair. Traveled with the support of the Regional Government.
2017: Annual exhibition of his students at the Sala de la Cultura.
2017: Exhibition at the Collahuasi Art Gallery in Iquique.
2018: Itinerant exhibition in the Collahuasi Art Galleries in Pica and Pozo Almonte.
2018: Exhibition with his students at the Regional Museum and Municipal Library.
2018: Annual exhibition of his students at the Culture Hall.
2019: Participated in the Plaza de las Artes with his Le Petite Atelier.
2020 - 2023
2020: Online exhibition on the website paulino.cl.
2021: Art In-Situ, carried out with his students at Plaza Prat.
2021: Participated in the Plaza de las Artes with the students from his Atelier Academy.
2021: Solo exhibition at the Violeta Parra School, in homage to Violeta’s birth.
2022-2023: Solo exhibition at the Collahuasi Art Gallery.
