José Venturelli (1924–1988), pioneering artist and his connections with Latin America, China, and the Asia-Pacific region

Abstract

Latin America and New China intersect through cultural diplomacy, where José Venturelli, a Chilean artist and non-state actor, forged deep bonds of friendship. From the 1950s onwards, he promoted the Maoist model as a cultural ambassador, where his residence in China and his close contact with its highest authorities allowed him to publicise this political project, expressed in his radical commitment to humanity. His multifaceted personality and pictorial richness linked him to different countries, such as Argentina and Cuba, where his artistic expression left a deep mark. Thus, he managed to transcend the artistic barrier to become a non-state actor in international relations, aligning himself with countries marked by political marginalisation and extreme poverty. We may ask ourselves how this Chilean artist was able to carve out a space for himself by crossing borders and presenting a new type of society and ideology. With this background, the article seeks to explore his adherence to cultural diplomacy; his links with Argentina and Cuba; his role as a non-state actor; and his exile in Geneva, these being key milestones. The available sources, expressed in letters, catalogues, newspapers, and interviews, allow us to reconstruct his past and share the sig- nificance of his work.