Juan Aboli was born in Madrid on June 24, 1946. He begins painting at a very young age, obtaining his first prize for an oil painting from the Madrid town hall at the age of five, and continuing to amount awards (mostly first prizes) up to a total of twenty-three by the age of fourteen.

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After having studied classical drawing since he was seven years old, at the age of eighteen he decides to take the entrance exam of the School of Fine Arts of San Fernando. However, despite being accepted, he chooses to start working in advertising instead, specialising himself in ‘airbrush’; a technique virtually unknown in Spain at that time.

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The pictorial qualities of his work paired with his impeccable technique, would soon earn him a household name in the world of airbrush illustration, both in Spain and abroad, and he would proceed to carry out some of the most iconic advertising campaigns for countless world known brands and international advertising agencies.

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Despite his intensive work as an airbrush illustrator, Juan Aboli never lets go of one of his life-long passions; oil painting. In October 1975 he exhibits one of his works in the collective “FANTASTIC REALISM TODAY”, presented in various European capitals.

In 1976 the SKIRA gallery in Madrid would host his first solo exhibition, which would obtain excellent reviews by specialised media and renowned art critics. The MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART OF MADRID, MUSEUM OF MODERN ART OF BILBAO and the COLON MUSEUM OF THE CANARY ISLANDS acquired his illustrations.

In 1977, again at the SKIRA gallery, his work forms part of another collective exhibition paying homage to ALEXANDER CALDER, alongside other artists such as BARJOLA, CANOGAR, CHILLIDA and TAPIES amongst others. At this point he decides to take a break regarding art shows, but continues to develop his mastery of oil painting in parallel to airbrush illustration.

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In 1987 Aboli decides to discontinue his activity as an advertising illustrator to carry out his long-cherished desire of dedicating himself entirely to painting, and in particular, to oil on canvas. Up to this date, Aboli continues to be fully immersed in his artistic investigation, and as is evident by his work, he is passionate about all painting styles and techniques of all eras.

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