Biography

Jorge Cocco Santángelo (born in 1936) is a self-taught artist with international recognition, having his original works displayed in museums and art galleries in his native Argentina, France, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, and the United States, as well as being featured in United Kingdom’s Royal Mail special edition of Christmas stamps in 2021.  Currently, different institutions including Museums, Government buildings, Universities, and Churches of many denominations across the world showcase his works.  Jorge Cocco has mastered diverse art techniques  such as painting, sculpture, lithograph, etching, and ceramics. Painting is his preferred medium. He is also skilled in washi zokei, a Japanese technique to create art with handmade paper. In the last few years Jorge Cocco has been dedicated to paint in a new artistic style he created and calls “sacrocubism,” which portrays sacred and religious events in a style of painting with features of the post-cubist art movement.

Cocco was born in Concepción del Uruguay, in Entre Ríos, Argentina. He was attracted to art from his earliest memories. Cocco Santángelo’s mother says that as a young child, he would sleep with a pencil in his hand and by morning his bedding would be covered with pencil markings.

Jorge Cocco won his first citywide art award at the age of nine. In his early twenties he had gained State level prizes and recognition. Cocco Santángelo continued his art career in Buenos Aires and in 1976 he moved to Spain. Despite being a newcomer to Spain, Cocco rapidly integrated in the art community having art exhibits in Ibiza, Valencia, Bilbao, among other cities. Soon, museums started acquiring original Cocco’s for their own collections. While sojourning in his artistic path, Jorge Cocco continued learning and experimenting and traveled through Europe where he would spent countless hours observing the old masterpieces at the most important museums. In 1983 Cocco-Santángelo moved to Mexico where he was able to learn more about and be in close contact with the cultures of Ancient America which played an influential role in his art. While in Puebla, Mexico, Cocco was a professor and head of the art department at the Universidad de las Américas. In 1991 Jorge Cocco moved back to Argentina where he started art schools,  taught at different institutions and wrote several articles and textbooks about art. Jorge Cocco Santangelo has continued creating new art and exploring new frontiers of expression throughout his long career.  

Jorge Cocco maintains studios in Argentina and the United States. Currently, The Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas displays a collection of Cocco’s paintings.

Interviews

ALL IN Podcast “Portraying Christ in Art” (December 2022)

BYU TV ARTFUL interview **After minute 13** (2021)

Jorge Cocco Latter-day Profiles with Brian Howard, at BYU-I, Rexburg Idaho. (2020)

Video interview to Jorge Cocco with Laura Allred Hurtado at the Church History Museum, in SLC, UT (2018)

Biographical Retrospect of Jorge Cocco (2014)

Center for Latter-day Saints Arts. Dallas, TX ribbon cutting ceremony (2020)

Mormon Arts Center interview Jorge Cocco in New York City, at the Riverside Church (2017)

Jorge Cocco paints his testimony. By LDSLiving (2017)

BYU-I radio interview The Life of an Artist Jorge Cocco Santangelo (2019)

BYU-I radio interview La vida de un artista – con Jorge Cocco Santángelo (2019)

BYU-I radio interview Sacred Events in the Book of Mormon -with Jorge Cocco (2020)

Jorge Cocco Santangelo in the world:

HIGHLIGHTS (for a comprehensive list of shows scroll down):
• His work has been acquired by important collectors and exhibited by 16 museums in Argentina, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, and the United States.
• More than 30 one-man shows in North, Central, and South America, and in Europe and Asia.
• More than 50 group shows worldwide.
• Received more than 15 national and international awards, grants, and honors.
• 6 years experience of university teaching at Universidad de las Americas, Mexico.
• Published 5 textbooks, and numerous articles for art magazines and journals.
• Invited to lecture at universities and conferences such as the Universidad de Belgrano and the College Art Association.

Honors and Awards/Grants:

1964 Grand First prize of Honor “Fondo Nacional de las Artes”. Salon Municipal de Parana, Entre Rios Argentina.
1976 Mention, Salón “Nuevos Valores” de galería El Mensaje.
1981 First Prize, 8# Salon de Primavera. Caja de Ahorros de Valencia, Spain.
1982 Mention, Salon de Otoño, Marseille, France.
1992 2# Prize, Etching, XXIX Salon de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Argentina.
1993 1# Prize, Etching. XXX Salon de Artistas Plásticos de Entre Rios, Argentina.
1994 1# Prize, Painting. Salon Nacional de Pintura, Circulo medico de Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1995 1# Prize, Painting. Salon Fernan Felix de Amador, Casa de la Cultura, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
3# Prize, Salon del Tango Sigfredo Pastor. Vicente López, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1996 1# Prize. Salon de Pequeño Formato, Dirección de Cultura y Rotary Club, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Arg
2# Prize. Painting, Centro Cultural Munro, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1997 Prize Unico, Consulado Argentino. Uruguay
2# Prize. Biennal International de la Costa, Argentina-Uruguay.Paysandú, Uruguay.
1998 Mention. Drawing. Salon de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Argentina.
1999 1# Prize. Painting. Biennal International de la Costa, Paysandu, Uruguay.
2000 2# Prize. Painting. XXXVII Salon de Artistas Plásticos de Entre Rios, Argentina.
2001 1# Prize. Sculpture. Biennal International de la Costa, Paysandu, Uruguay.
2002 Mention Jurado. Group of artwork in Drawing, Painting, and Etching. Salon Annual de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Argentina.
2003 Honorary Mention Drawing. LXXIX Salón Nacional de Santa Fe, Argentina.
1# Prize. Painting. Salon de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Argentina.

2015 Purchase award. Church History Museum. 10th International art competition.

Museums and Collections which have featured his works:

Museum of Biblical Art, Dallas, Texas, USA

Museum Community of Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina.
Collection Ministerio de Justicia de Entre Rios, Parana, Argentina.
State Museum of Fine Arts. Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina.
State Museum of Drawing and Etching Guaman Poma, Concepcion del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina.
Museum Casa de la Colonia, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Mural, Hall del Juzgado Federal de Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina.
Museum Eduardo Sivory, Salon de dibujo Manuel Belgrano. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Museum of Washi Zokey, Setagaya, Tokio, Japan.
Historic Museum of the City of Puebla, Mexico.
Institute of Investigation of Fine Arts and Aesthetics, Coahuila, Mexico
Museum of Contemporary Art, Ibiza, Spain.
Collection La Caixa De Estalvis, Valencia, Spain.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Alto Aragon, Spain.
Museums Municipales de San Telmo y de La Casa de Oquendo, San Sebastian, Spain.
Church History Museum, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.

One Man Shows:

1965 Exhibited in 4 cities in Entre Rios, Argentina.
1966 Klee Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1977 La Caixa, Ibiza, Spain
1981 ARTEDER, International Contemporary Art Fair, Bilbao, Spain
1982 Novart Gallery, Madrid, Spain
1985 Casa de la Cultura de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Gallery Universitaria UDLA, Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
Gallery Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
1986 Gallery Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Harris Fine Art Center, Brigham Young University, UT, USA
1987 Institute of Technology, Puebla, Mexico
Cultural Institute Poblano, Puebla, Mexico
Regional Museum I.N.A.H., Puebla, Mexico
Mexican Society of Plastic Arts, Puebla, Mexico
San Fernando Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
The Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
1991 IEVA Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico
Institute of Visual and Aesthetic Arts, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
Casa de la Cultura, Puebla, Mexico
Atelier Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
1993 Cultural Center. Embassy of Japan. Buenos Aires, Argentina
1994 Museum of Drawing and Etching of Concepcion del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina
1996 Washi Zokei exhibit. Japanese Garden of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1997 Solo exhibit. CASA ARTE, Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina
Spory Gallery, Ricks College, ID, USA
1999 Works in paper, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Regina Pacis, San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2001 Sculptures at State Museum of Fine Arts, Pedro S. Martinez, Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina
2002 CASA ARTE, Concepcion del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina
2003 Karina Paradiso Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2004 Sabático Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2005 Del Bajo Gallery, Martinez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2006 Cromática Gallery, San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gallery de la Fundación para Estudios Psicoanalíticos, Martinez, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2017 Heirloom Art. Provo, Utah.

2018 June-October. Sacred events in the Life of Christ. Church History Museum. Salt Lake City Utah

2019 February-May: Sacred events in the life of Christ. Spory Gallery. Brigham Young University-Idaho. Rexburg, Idaho.

2020 March-October: Spory Gallery. Brigham Young University-Idaho. Rexburg, Idaho.

2020 February – Present: Museum of Biblical Art, Dallas, TX.

Group Shows:

1977 6th Spring Salon, Valencia, Spain
1979 7th Spring Salon, Valencia, Spain
1980 8th Spring Salon, Valencia, Spain
1981 Arteder, International Fair of Contemporary Art, Bilbao, Spain
Municipal Salon of Pego, Alicante, Spain
1982 Spring Salon, Ibiza, Spain
Printmaking International Biennal, Ibiza, Spain
Autumn Salon, Marseilles, France
1985 Puebla’s Painters, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico
1986 Puebla’s Painters, University of Puebla, Mexico
1987 Mexican Society of Fine Arts, Puebla, Mexico
Spring Salon, San Fernando Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
Washi Zokei, Polyforum Siqueiros, Mexico D.F., Mexico
1989 Paintings, Casa de la Cultura, Puebla, Mexico
Paintings, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
Washi Zokei International Exhibition, Casa de la Cultura, Puebla, Mexico
International Art in Puebla, Atelier Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
1990 Washi Art Group Exhibition, Casa de la Cultura, Puebla, Mexico
1991 1st National Congress of Fine Arts, Zacatecas, Mexico
Washi Zokei International Exhibition, Casa de la Cultura, Puebla, Mexico
1992 XXIX Fine Artists Salon, Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina
1993 XXX Fine Artists Salon, Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina
1994 XXXI Fine Artists Salon, Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina (two times in same year)
Fine Artists Association Annual Exhibition, Andreani Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina
LXXI Annual Exhibition, Santa Fe, Argentina
Drawing and Printmaking, Chandon Biennal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Washi Zokei Study Group, Artists’ Loft, Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
V Biennal of Sacred Art, Decorative Art Museum, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Medical Circle Salon, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1995 XXXI Felix De Amador Salon, Casa de la Cultura, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
VII National Salon ’95 – Printmaking, Caseos Bank Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina
XIII Sigfredo Pastor Tango Salon, Casa de la Cultura, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Paper Art, Recoleta Cultural Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1996 Salon de Pequeno Formato Direccion de Cultura y Rotary Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Centro Cultural Munro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1997 Plastica Entrerriana de Fin Del Siglo XX, Congreso del la Nacion, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bienal Internacional de la Costa, Paysandu, Rupublica Oriental del Uruguay
1998 Bienal Latinoamericana de Arte Papel, Centro Cultural Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Grupo Geo-grafias en Papel, Centro Cultural Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Galeria Adriana Indik, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Galeria Solanas, Punta del Este, Republica Oriental del Uruguay
Salon de Entre Rios, Argentina
1999 Bienal Internacional de la Costa, Paysandu, Republica Oriental del Uruguay
Phillips Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT USA
2000 Salon de Santa Fe, Argentina
XXXVII Salon de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Argentina
2001 Bienal Internacional del la Cost Argentina-Uruguay, Paysandu, Uruguay
Salon de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Parana
2002 Salon Nacional de Santa Fe, Argentina
Museo “Casa de la Colonia”, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
XXXIX Salon Annual de Artistas Plasticos de Entre Rios, Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina
Revolving Group Exhibitions since 1997 in CASA ARTE, Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina

2014 Sacramento Art Complex Gallery 2110. Sacramento, California, USA.

2017 Mormon Art Festival. Riverside Church, NY, NY.

Teaching Experience:

1985-1991 University of the Americas, Puebla, Mexico
Professor in the Department of Art and Design
Classes in the following areas: Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture,
Fine Arts, Communications and Humanities, drawing, Painting, Human Figure, Design,
Illustration, Ceramics and Contemporary Art History.
1992-2004 College “Cesaseo B. de Quiros” de Concordia, Entre Rios, Argentina – Professor of Art
Teaches drawing, print making and sculpture.
1995 Universidad de Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina – taught courses in Art History and
was a faculty member of the Architecture Department
1996 Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes Regina Pascis de San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina – taught courses in Washi Zokei and ceramics.
1999-2000 Colegio Superior J.J. de Urquiza de Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina –taught courses in Art History
1997-2004 Founder & Director of “CASA ARTE,” Concepcion del Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina.

Seminars and Conferences:

Washi Zokei, Montevideo, Uruguay
Paper Culture in the Orient – What is Washi Zokei, Recoleta Cultural Center Buenos Aires, Arg.
Infantile Art, Anglo-Espanol School, Puebla, Mexico
Washi Zokei, Congress of Fine Artists’ of Mexico, Zacatecas, Mexico
Jazz and Painting, Atelier Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
Contemporary Art, San Fernando Gallery, Puebla, Mexico
Vanguard Art, University of Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Printmaking, Andreani Foundation, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Painting, Artists Loft, Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Washi Zokei, School of Fine Arts, Salto, Republica Oriental del Uruguay
Washi Zokei, School of Fine Arts, Concordia, Entre Rios, Argentina
Washi Zokei, Drawing and Printmaking Provincial Museum, Concepcion del
Uruguay, Entre Rios, Argentina
Washi Zokei, Japanese Garden, Buenos Aires, Argentina
87th Annual Conference of College Art Association, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Art and Religion. Institute of Religion, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Publications – Investigations:

1994 “On What We Write”, the support of writing through time.
Culture and Educations Stand, 5th Children’s Book Fair
Washi Zokei: Articles in the following publications:
El Sol de Puebla, (newspaper) Mexico
Magenta, (magazine) Buenos Aires, Argentina
El Angel, (newspaper) Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Artes Visuales, (magazine), Buenos Aires, Argentina
1995 Creator and director of the magazine Artes Visuales Argentine Society of Fine Artists,
Zone Norte, Buenos Aires
“Evolution of Modern Art: 40 Variations of a Cube”
“Teaching Drawing: A New Methodology”
“Instituto Argentino de Washi Zokei: Art and Craftsmanship of Paper”
“Campus”: series of lithographs given as an institutional gift, Universidad de las
Americas, Puebla, Mexico
1996 “El Dibujo y Notas Sobre Grafica Artistica”First major book consolidating and elaborating on his new methodology for teaching drawing. Also explains and teaches how to employ modern methods of abstraction.Textbook 1
1998 “Arte Contemporáneo” Comprension el influencia del arte en nuestro tiempo (Contemporary Art:
The comprehension and influence of art in contemporary times) Textbook 2
2000 “Arte Latinoamericano y Argentino” This book describes through illustrations and slides the major art movements and styles of Latin America and Argentina. Textbook 3