Montevideo, April 9 , 2025 - Galería de las Misiones is honored to announce the exclusive global representation of the Estate of Tomás Maldonado. Maldonado, a towering figure in 20th-century art, design, and philosophical reflections on topics as varied as modernity, education or communication.
Tomás Maldonado, born in Argentina in 1922,was a foundational force in Latin American modernism and one of the key international voices in the development of contemporary design theory. A co-founder of the Arte Concreto-Invención movement in 1940s Buenos Aires, Maldonado's early artistic practice was defined by a rational, abstract visual language that broke new ground in the region's avant-garde.
Maldonado’s legacy expanded far beyond the realm of painting. In 1954, he joined the prestigious Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG Ulm) in Germany—an institution seen as the successor to the Bauhaus—where he served as both professor and rector. During his tenure (1954–1967), he became one of the principal architects of the Ulm Model, a visionary design philosophy that fused aesthetics, ethics, science, and technology. His influence at Ulm reshaped design education globally and established new standards for integrating intellectual rigor with practical innovation.
In addition to his pioneering pedagogical work, Maldonado was a prolific writer and theorist. His publications, such as La esperanza proyectual, Diseño, naturaleza y revolución, and Lo real y lo virtual, explore subjects ranging from semiotics and epistemology to ecology and digital culture. Always deeply engaged with the ethical and political dimensions of design, Maldonado viewed design as a critical tool for shaping a more just and sustainable society.
He held academic positions at major institutions including Princeton University and the Politecnico di Milano, where he continued to influence generations of students and scholars across disciplines.
This new partnership between Galería de las Misiones and the Estate marks a significant commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of a truly global thinker and creator. It also reflects the gallery’s broader mission to foreground pivotal figures in Latin American modern and contemporary art, both regionally and on the world stage.
For further information, images, or inquiries, please contact:
Galería de las Misiones
info@galeriamisiones.com
+598 2 9161603
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