Juan Carlos Distéfano
Acción directa III

ExpandFavorite

Images(6)

Artist Juan Carlos DistéfanoArgentinean, born 1933

CultureArgentinean

Titles

Acción directa III
Uninterrupted Action III

Date1998

MediumReinforced polyester and epoxy resin

Dimensions128 × 118 × 118 in. (325 × 300 × 300 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the 2007 Latin American Experience Gala and Auction

Object number2007.1459

Not on view

Explore Further

Department

Latin American Art

Object Type

SCULPTURE

DescriptionJuan Carlos Distéfano's oeuvre is characterized by the intense emotional and psychological charge with which his mostly figurative work is imbued. This impact is enhanced by the innovative technical and formal processes he employs, whether the manner in which he combines oil and tempera to create distorted paintings, or his use of reinforced polyester and lacquered epoxy resins to create sculptural pieces. The plasticity and caustic aspects of these materials mirror the attenuated themes he addresses and are fundamental in understanding the conceptual underpinnings that lie at the heart of his tortured figures. His monumental later work addresses the extent to which Christianity affects the mundane aspects of life.

ProvenanceThe artist; [Ruth Benzacar Gallery, Buenos Aires]; purchased by MFAH, 2007.
Exhibition History"Inverted Utopias: The Avant-Garde in Latin America, 1920–1970," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, June 20–September 12, 2004.

"North Looks South: Building the Latin American Art Collection," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, June 7–September 27, 2009.

"56th International Art Exhibition, La Bienalle di Venezia - Argentina" Pavilion at Arsenale – Sale d’Armi, Venice, May 9–November 22, 2015.

"Between Play and Grief: Selections from the Latino American Collection," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 16–September 8, 2019.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Discover More

Juan Carlos Distéfano

Telaraña

1974–1975

Fiberglass-reinforced polyester, cast polyester, enamel epoxy

2011.1066

Sebastián Gordín

Bibi, Rouzat, 1911

2014

Wood veneer on fiberglass reinforced polyester

2015.538

Carlos Runcie-Tanaka

Progresión orgánica

1988–1989

Stoneware

2012.329

captured image from Station Museum website

Carlos Runcie-Tanaka

Tiempo detenido / No Olvidar

1997–2006

Ceramic figures, one glass/metal urn, and aluminum lamps within a glass paneled room

2011.478

Luis Fernando Benedit

Perón, Perón

1996

Crayon, graphite, reddish brown gel pen, black tape and electrostatic print on wove paper, wood, plaster, acrylic, epoxy, and projected light

2010.1490

Juan Carlos Alom

Laura II

1989–1994

Gelatin silver print

2022.489

Juan Carlos Alom

Healing the Earth

1995

Gelatin silver print

2002.130

Thornton Dial, Sr.

The Man That Left Home Walking and Came Back Riding

1994

Steel frame, textiles including cotton and nylon hose, latex rubber gloves, leather, string, brass zipper, polyester resin putty, and latex house paint

2003.694