biography

Alvaro Castagnet was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, South America and migrated to Australia in 1983.

His early interest in art was cultivated mainly by his father, who, at a very young age, sent him to the National School of Art in Montevideo where he was taught by Professor Esteban Garino. He also studied at the Fine Arts University where Miguel Angel Pareja was his oil painting tutor.

Two years after arriving in Australia he was appointed Art Director of Melbourne’s Latin Festival.

Alvaro has travelled extensively throughout the USA, Mexico, South America, Europe and Australia, which he has found has broadened the vision, depth and subjects of his work.

His experience in the field of teaching watercolours to all levels of artists - from beginners to advanced - is well known and greatly appreciated because he manages to inspire and lift the abilities of all who work with him. He runs workshops overseas, and throughout Australia.

Alvaro has an established reputation as a dedicated artist. Private and corporate collectors worldwide have acquired his works, including Mitsubishi Australia, IBM Argentina, The City of Malvern, The City of Glen Waverley and Aerolineas Argentinas.

He is a member of the Old Watercolour Society and The Victorian Artists Society. By invitation he has participated in the Cross-Century Asian Pacific Watercolour Exhibition in 1997, 1998 and 1999 in the Chung-Cheng Gallery at the National Taiwan Arts Education Institute.

Alvaro writes regular articles for the “Australian Artist” magazine, and his work appeared in the first issue of “International Artist” magazine.

Alvaro is an expressive painter, and portrays a strong, impressive and colourful style with superb interpretation of light effects, capturing the soul of the places he paints. He is fluent in many languages, including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English. Alvaro has been holding solo exhibitions in Australia since 1985.

Alvaro Castagnet has an established reputation as a dedicated artist. His works have been acquired by private and corporate collectors worldwide, he has been holding solo exhibitions in Australia since 1985, and has won several prestigious national prizes, including: twice, First Prize Alice Bale Award & First Prize St. Kevin’s College.

In New York during 2003 he was awarded the “High Winds” award and medal by the prestigious American Watercolour Society.

In 2007 he was awarded the "Bud and Gretchen Marble” Medal by the American Watercolour Society in New York, and the "Bronze Award" at the Camberwell Rotary Art Show, in Melbourne.

1985 First Prize Spanish Art Society
1987 First Prize Watercolour, City of Malvern
1987 First Prize Watercolour, City of Brighton
1987 Best Artist Under 35, City of Brighton
1990 First Prize Watercolour, Glen Waverley Art Show
1991 First Prize Watercolour, Waverley Show
1991 First Prize Watercolour, City of Ringwood Art Show
1992 First Prize Watercolour, Mornington Art Show
1992 First Prize Oil, Burke Hall Art Show, Kew
1992 First Prize Watercolour, Glen Waverley Art Show
1992 First Prize Watercolour, Ringwood Art Show
1992 Honourable Award, Port Adelaide Art Show
1993 First Prize Watercolour, Mt Waverley Art Show
1993 First Prize Watercolour, Alice Bale Art Award
1994 Second Prize, Alice Bale Art Award
1994 First Prize Watercolour, Mt Waverley Art Show
1994 Norwich Prize, Camberwell Art Show
1995 First Prize, Mornington Art Show
1995 First Prize, Waverley Art Show
1996 First Prize Watercolour, Box Hill Art Show
1997 First Prize Watercolour, Toorak College Art Show
1998 First Prize Watercolour, Box Hill Art Show
1998 First Prize Watercolour, St. Kevin’s College Art Show
1999 First Prize Watercolour, Box Hill Art Show
2000 First Prize Watercolour, Chelsea
2001 First Prize Watercolour, St. Kevin’s College Art Show
2001 First Prize Watercolour, Chelsea
2003 High Winds Medal, American Watercolour Society
2004 Alfredo Guati Rojo Memorial Award, American Watercolour Society
2004 Air Float Systems, Inc. Award, National Watercolour Society
2005 First Prize Watercolour, Chelsea
2007 Bud & Gretchen Marble Medal, American Watercolour Society
2007 Bronze Award, Camberwell Art Show, Australia

Alvaro has also won many other art awards.