Ramona Lifting Weights (Ramona levantando pesas), Antonio Berni, 1963 © Estate of Antonio Berni
Antonio Berni (1905 1981) is regarded as one of Argentinas most influential artists.
His most famous works are those in the "Ramona" series, for which he won the Venice Biennial in 1962. A collection of xylo-collage reliefs that centre around Ramona a fictitious character who lives in an impoverished neighbourhood on the outskirts of Buenos Aires the series parodies the moral foundations of Argentina with depictions of military and royal personalities who come to the shantytown looking for sex. Ramona in many ways, embodies the plight of many young girls. The works are beautifully detailed and meticulously wrought with objects found at the actual shantytown, and attempt to uncover the harsh and often overlooked reality of Argentina's lower class.
