The Jorge Oteiza Museum is a hub of creativity, home to thousands of sculptures, drawings and collages by the 20th-century Basque sculptor, painter and writer Jorge Oteiza. The museum is located in his former home in the countryside, a place that gave him the isolation he craved to focus on his work. Browse permanent and temporary exhibitions drawn from the museum's collection.
Before entering the building take a few moments to appreciate its architectural form. The home is a large red concrete cube topped by three prismatic skylights. Then step inside for a comprehensive overview of the artist’s career and ideas. Tour the permanent collection, which features 150 sculptures, including pieces that demonstrate Oteiza’s fascination with space and emptiness.
See examples of Oteiza’s expressionist work from the early 1930s. Study ceramic artworks that were created following his return from South America in 1948. He had been living there since the mid 1930s. View experimental creations from the 1950s which resulted in him abandoning sculpture more than 40 years before his death. Peruse sculptures from the Chalk Laboratory exhibition, including 35 works in plaster.
Examine pieces that are linked to Oteiza's work for the Basilica in Arantzazu. He made a frieze of 14, rather than the usual 12, apostles. These large stone figures stand next to each other above the main entrance to the church.
Look at photos of the artist that chart different periods of his career and then read the accompanying explanatory texts. Among the other highlights of the collection are his handwritten and typed texts and notes.
The Jorge Oteiza Museum is open every day except Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. There is an entrance fee, but this is waived for students, children and those over the age of 65. Entrance is free for everyone on Fridays, except holidays. The museum is located 6 miles (9 kilometers) outside of Pamplona. Drive there and you can use the museum’s free parking facilities.
