How Phoenix will honor the life and work of Fernando Botero with first show since his death

Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic
Updated ·2 min read
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The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix will present a special exhibition showcasing the artwork of the late Fernando Botero beginning Saturday, Oct. 7. It is the first showing Botero's works since his death on Sept. 15, 2023.

Botero was a well-known Colombian artist who created art for more than 60 years in a unique style that became known as "Boterismo." He depicted people and figures in large, exaggerated volumes in his sculptures and paintings.

"It's such an honor for us to co-present the exhibition," said Elaine McGinn, chief experience officer at the Desert Botanical Garden. "Botero was really a leader in creating a new look, a new feel, and making it very recognizable."

The Desert Botanical Garden and the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, worked together to bring the exhibit to Phoenix. It runs through March 2024.

What to expect at the Botero show at Desert Botanical Garden

Colombian artist Fernando Botero gestures on Jan. 22, 2013 during the launch of the books "Botero, 80 years" by Colombian Santiago Velez, and "Fernando Botero, The Search for the Style, 1949-1963" by Colombian Christian Padilla at the Antioquia museum in Medellin.
Colombian artist Fernando Botero gestures on Jan. 22, 2013 during the launch of the books "Botero, 80 years" by Colombian Santiago Velez, and "Fernando Botero, The Search for the Style, 1949-1963" by Colombian Christian Padilla at the Antioquia museum in Medellin.

The show will be a little different from some past exhibitions at the Desert Botanical Garden. Instead of an exhibition of outdoor artworks placed throughout the gardens, the Botero show will consist of a selection of paintings and a sculpture in an expanded gallery space in Dorrance Hall. A sculpture will be placed at the garden entrance as well.

"What I love about his work is that he celebrates the essence of Latin America, particularly Colombia's lifestyle," McGinn said of Botero.

"There's a celebration and a lightness to the work that's going to be on display, so it's just the fun and the whimsy and the colors he liked to use in his work and everything at that exaggerated level."

Colombian artist Fernando Botero looks over his work at a first complete U.S. showing of "Art of Confrontation," his paintings and drawings on Abu Ghraib prison at American University Museum in Washington, Nov. 5, 2007.
Colombian artist Fernando Botero looks over his work at a first complete U.S. showing of "Art of Confrontation," his paintings and drawings on Abu Ghraib prison at American University Museum in Washington, Nov. 5, 2007.

The Desert Botanical Garden has plenty of other fun events coming up before the year is over. Find out how to get tickets to Las Noches de las Luminarias and other seasonal favorites.

'Fernando Botero: El Maestro' at Desert Botanical Garden

When: The exhibit runs Saturday, Oct. 7-Sunday, March 31, 2024. Garden hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; open at 6 a.m. for members on Sundays and Wednesdays. In October the hours will change to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; open 7 a.m. for members on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Where: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix.

Admission: Included with garden admission or membership. Garden admission is $24.95, $14.95 for ages 3-17, free for age 2 and younger.

Details: 480-941-1225, dbg.org.

Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden honors a late master's work and life