The colorful Painted Forest of Oma in Basque Country, Spain
Ibarrola was born in Basauri (Biscay) in 1930 and his first attempts at art were purely self-taught. However, in 1948, the artist received a grant which enabled him to travel to Madrid. There, in Spain’s capital, Ibarrola was able to further explore art, and particularly cubism and constructivism. Meanwhile, through these mediums, the artist was able to produce art that is far from the norm – in fact, a less pure and more social form of art.
A colorful, magical landscape
Exploring the forest, visitors will find he has painted numerous colorful patterns, shapes and figures. Meanwhile, taking a stroll here is a different experience for everyone. Sometimes, a single tree is painted in a certain pattern. However, other patterns spread over a number of trees, forcing the viewer to see the colorful art as a landscape in itself. In fact, the work looks different, depending on the angle it is viewed from.
Reopening the Painted Forest of Oma
While it was Ibarrola’s dream to make this public art, damage to the painted trees led to them needing maintenance. Due to this, visitors can only view the Painted Forest of Oma on guided tours by appointment. Moreover, it is recommended to book in advance during the summer months, from July 25 through September. Guided tours can be enjoyed from Mondays to Fridays between 10:30 and 12:30 and appointments can be made on the phone number +34 944 651 657.
View more images of the forest and a location map on the official website here. Also, the video included below takes viewers on a tour of the painted trees.
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