The printmaker Umberto Giangrandi (b. 1942) thinks this interview gives the most complete picture of his life and work of any he ever granted. Mundo magazine, directed by Carlos Salas (b. 1957), published a special edition devoted to contemporary print studios that featured Giangrandi and described him as a pioneer in the field. He not only mentored other artists and advised them on the printing of their works; he also opened the doors of his studio—Taller Giangrandi, located on Carrera 12 in the heart of Bogotá—and invited them to gather there and talk about their art. The series Carrera 12, an important landmark in Giangrandi’s career, was the product of day-to-day activities in his studio. Giangrandi arrived in Colombia in 1966. He started teaching printmaking classes the following year as part of the art faculty at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (1967−98) and at the Universidad de los Andes (1968−73).
The Italian painter contributed to the popularization of printmaking by teaching classes at the university and elsewhere, and by advising other studios on technical matters. He also encouraged the importation of paper, ink, and the presses that were needed to keep improving local printing standards. As a result, several print shops opened in the 1970s and 1980s, such as: Luis Ángel Parra’s Taller Arte Dos Gráfico; Ana Mercedes Hoyos’ Taller 25C; Taller Luis Paz, Arte Serial; Hugo Zapata’s Taller Experimental de Medellín; Pedro Alcántara Herrán’s Taller Corporación Prográfica; Juan Manuel Lugo’s Taller La Huella; andEnrique Hernández’s Taller Serigráfico. In 1969, he opened the Taller Giangrandi where he printed the works of prominent Colombian artists, including Alejandro Obregón (1920−92), Óscar Jaramillo (b. 1947), and María de la Paz Jaramillo (b. 1948), among many others.