Ides Kihlen, the celebrated Argentine abstract artist, passed away on April 14 at the age of 108. The announcement was made by Galería Via Margutta in Córdoba, which has represented her since 2012. Kihlen’s artistic journey, which began with her first solo show at the age of 85, spanned nearly a century and was marked by her dedication to both painting and music.
Born in 1917 in Santa Fe Province, Argentina, Kihlen moved to Buenos Aires during her teenage years. She pursued studies at the National School of Decorative Arts and advanced her piano skills at the National Conservatory. Throughout her career, she was influenced by mentors such as Emilio Pettoruti and Vicente Puig, with whom she studied before transitioning to abstraction in the 1960s.
Kihlen’s abstract works, known for their geometric forms and experimental line work, began gaining recognition in the early 2000s. Her first solo exhibition, a retrospective at the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Buenos Aires, occurred in 2002 when she was 85. This marked the beginning of her rise to prominence, with subsequent shows at major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo.
Isabella Hutchinson, founder of Hutchinson Modern & Contemporary, described Kihlen’s life as inseparable from her art. “She was elegant and demure, and her art was everywhere,” Hutchinson commented. Kihlen’s daughters, Ingrid González Monteagudo and Silvia González Kihlen, have been instrumental in preserving her legacy, working closely with María de Becerra from Vía Margutta Gallery, who felt a deep connection to the artist.
As the art world mourns Kihlen’s passing, her dedication to her craft continues to inspire. González Monteagudo shared that Kihlen passed away peacefully, surrounded by love. De Becerra, reflecting on Kihlen’s impact, remarked, “For us, she was eternal.”
