Born in Barcelona in 1949, Ernesto Carratalá (Ernesto Carratalá Rey) is an internationally traveled painter, printmaker, and designer. He received his formal artistic training at the Conservatory of Music & Painting and the Llotja (Lonja) del Mar School of Applied Arts in Barcelona. Exhibiting a precocious talent for graphic arts, Carratalá won first prize in a major metal engraving competition in Barcelona at an early age.
His nomadic artistic spirit eventually brought him to Southeast Asia, where he deeply immersed himself in the Philippine cultural scene during the 1970s. Truly a multidisciplinary creator, his extensive portfolio bridges fine art with commercial design, literature, and performing arts across Europe and Asia.
Career Highlights & Multidisciplinary Work:
Graphic Design & Illustration: Authored short stories and drew illustrations for books and independent comics magazines (such as Spain's El Víbora). He has also designed numerous advertising posters and commercial magazine covers.
Theatrical & Interior Design: Expanded his practice into spatial design, including high-end interior decorating and designing custom clothes and costumes for a musical opera in the Philippines in the 1970s.
Global Printmaking: Renowned for producing high-quality print editions and fine graphics both in Spain and during his residencies abroad.
