Manuel Suárez-Pumariega Molezún

Pseudonym: Manuel Molezún
Category: Doctor, athlete and painter
Birth Date: In 1920 (†31st January 2001)
Birth Place: A Coruña
 Curriculum

He stood out in all the activities he participated in. He was considered as one of the most important painters of geometric abstraction and one of the Galician artists of the soundest international reputation. When he was young, he was also an important sportsman. He combined his studies (Medicine) with athletics (110m hurdles). When he finished his career, he began to practise as a doctor until 1955, although his artistic vocation made him give up Medicine and devote himself to art. He was a representational painter in his first artistic stage. He was a teacher in the Faculty of Fine Arts at 'Complutense' University (Madrid) since 1980.

 Work & Activities

His records in 110m hurdles made him represent Spain in the Olympic Games in London (1948), where he reached the third position. He was the first athlete from A Coruña and one of the first Galician athletes that took part in the Olympic Games. He got the best record in 110m hurdles although he also practised high and long jump, winning several Spanish championships. As far as painting is concerned, he was first famous abroad rather than in Spain, where he did not use to make exhibitions. A selective exhibition celebrated at 'Caixa Vigo' Cultural Centre (1922) and an exhibition at 'Alfonso' Stand in A Coruña (1926) did justice to him. He used to make exhibitions at 'Juana Mordó' Gallery in Madrid as an exponent of plastic painting, although in his last stage his work developed to a sort of representation linked to cubism. He participated in the organisation of important exhibitions and his work is famous in Europe and America. His work can be found at 'Unión Fenosa' Foundation, the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art, the Abstract Art Museum in Cuenca, 'Reina Sofía' Art Museum in Madrid and other Spanish, European and American museums.

 Other Interesting Aspects

He worked with Amadeo Gabino (one of his best friends). Besides, his closeness with the architects Vázquez Molezún and Corrales made him get in touch with the vigour of architectonic forms that he represented in his painting in 1980 by means of big plans of quiet chromatism. In collaboration with them, he was awarded the prize of the third edition of the triennial celebrated in Milan in 1954. He enjoyed a scholarship in Rome (1950) and Paris (1952) and got the gold medal at the Biennial of Salzbourg in 1956. He was also awarded the prize at 'Unión Fenosa' Biennial. He married the Dutchwoman Joos Peerebon and had two children.