Roberto Batista

Biography

Roberto Batista is one of the Canary Islands’ most respected contemporary painters, recognized for his profound conceptual approach to painting and his exploration of philosophical, social, and environmental themes. Born in Villa de Mazo (La Palma) in 1954, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Licenciado en Bellas Artes) from the University of La Laguna.

For more than three decades, Batista combined his artistic practice with a distinguished teaching career, serving as a Professor of Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and as a secondary-school teacher of Visual Arts. Since 2011, he has devoted himself exclusively to his artistic work. He is also a founding member of the Apresto Art Group, participating in collaborative projects such as Artemages.

Artistic Practice

Painting is Roberto Batista’s principal medium of expression, although his work also incorporates photography as an essential creative discipline. Working with oil, acrylic, watercolour, graphite, and photographic media, he develops series that investigate the relationship between humanity, memory, landscape, identity, and contemporary existence.

His work is characterised by:

* Contemporary conceptual realism. * Atmospheric urban and architectural spaces. * Layered pictorial surfaces. * Philosophical reflections on identity, memory, and human existence. * Integration of literary and visual narratives. * Strong dialogue between painting and photography.

Rather than presenting literal representations, Batista constructs visual essays that invite contemplation. His paintings frequently depict anonymous figures inhabiting fragmented urban environments, exploring themes such as displacement, isolation, environmental transformation, and the search for meaning in contemporary society.

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions

Among his principal exhibitions are:

* 2024 – (CO)INCIDIR, Desván Blanco Espacio Cultural, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (solo). * 2023 – EX-SISTENCIA, Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (solo). * 2022 – PASSAROLA: Sueño y conciencia, Abama Art Gallery, Tenerife (two-person exhibition). * 2022 – PASSAROLA: Sueño y conciencia, Ermita de San Antonio, Lanzarote (solo). * 2021 – Y . como, Casa de la Cultura, Los Realejos (two-person exhibition). * 2020 – Y . como, Casa Mané Art Centre, Fuerteventura. * 2017 – Passarola. Sueño y conciencia, Museo de Bellas Artes de Santa Cruz de Tenerife. * 2016 – Confín, Sala Fleming, Puerto de la Cruz. * 2012 – Testigo, Centro de Arte La Recova, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. * 2012 – Silencio, Galería Art Septem, La Gomera. * 2011 – Silencio, Casa de la Cultura, Adeje. * 2005 – Silencio, Palacio Salazar, La Palma. * 2004 – Silencio, Galería La Trasera del Leal, La Laguna.

His work has also been shown in collective exhibitions throughout Spain and internationally, including Barcelona, Tarragona, Chicago, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, and La Palma.

Awards

* First Prize, Painting Competition, Real Club Náutico de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (2001).

Artist Statement

Roberto Batista conceives painting as a philosophical investigation into the human condition. His artistic projects address recurring themes such as traces of memory, identity, environmental transformation, absence, the relationship between humanity and nature, and the ethical challenges of contemporary society. Developed in thematic series, his paintings function as interconnected visual essays that combine rigorous formal composition with literary and conceptual reflection. Recent projects, including EX-SISTENCIA, PASSAROLA, and Des-signación, exemplify this sustained inquiry into existence, consciousness, and the evolving landscape of human experience.

Collections and Professional Contribution

Roberto Batista’s work forms part of public and private collections in the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. As both artist and educator, he has made a significant contribution to the development of contemporary Canarian art, influencing generations of young artists through his academic career while maintaining a highly respected independent practice. His paintings continue to occupy an important place within the contemporary cultural landscape of the Canary Islands through museum exhibitions, gallery presentations, and interdisciplinary collaborations.