Biography

I was born on 28th December 1949 in El Masnou, then a small coastal town with an important traditional fishing fleet near Barcelona.

When I was 9 years old, I started to take my first specialised classes with José Ma Martínez, and I entered the world of painting.

My father, who thought it would be very difficult to live from painting, urged me to study advertising, which seemed like one of the most booming professions in Spain at the time.

I started working in the agency Selecciones Ilustradas, SI Artists, as it was known for international orders, with Jordi Longarón, one of the most important illustrators of the time.

A discredited genre wherever it is, the photonovel flourished and died in a space of ten years in Spain.

I marry Magda Busquets and we move into an apartment on Pº Maragall, in Barcelona, in the same stairway as the singer-songwriter Raimón, one of the greatest civil rights fighters through his songs.

Encarnita Pachecho, who I have already mentioned, had won the title of Miss Model of Spain and had modelled several times on New York catwalks.

Still with Selecciones Ilustradas, I took photos of an interview with the Ampurdan painter, which took place in his house in Port Lligat.

During those years I worked as an illustrator, publishing my work in European magazines, mainly for the Scandinavian market, and I attained one of my biggest dreams, which was to publish one of my cov

My mother, who had been ill with a serious disease, dies in September 1975.

Albert Tapies, the owner of the Galería Xarxa, gives me the opportunity to exhibit my first individual exhibition in his small room on the beach of Calafell.

This is the only competition I have ever entered, winning the People’s Jury Award.

Mr Ángel Torres, painter and owner of the Galería Época in Barcelona, one of the most important spaces at that time in the city, gave me the use of his gallery and my first individual exhibition in

My first son Lluís is born.

With the atmosphere in the big city too much for us, we decide to look for a more pleasant place to live, finding Sant Cugat to be the perfect place, a city which was small and quiet at that time.

My second son, David is born.

My first Sant Cugat exhibition is held in the Galería Febo. Josep Antón Clausó, the manager of the gallery, and friend to this day, was one of the first people I met when I moved to Sant Cugat.

Together with two artists, Casademont “le vieux” and Alcón, and the manager of an art gallery in Majorca, we pulled the name of a country we were to visit out of a hat.

Presented by the Galería Lleonart in Barcelona, I exhibit my work in the Contemporary Art Fair of Madrid with other artists from that space.

The presentation of the first book dedicated to my work, written by Francesc Galí.

Presentation of my first book “Lluís Ribas”.

I travel to India, hoping to find new material for my paintings. The result was to be, some time later, a collection of paintings on the country.

Presented in the Galería Sokoa, in Madrid.

In Madrid’s Galería Sokoa I celebrate the presentation of a collection of paintings on India and from the book “India, Imagen y Color”, written by Francesc Galí, in which they are all reprinte

This was my first interview broadcast on Spanish television, recorded in my first studio in Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Written by Josep Ma Cadena and published for the exhibition in the Galería Atelier, Barcelona.

Exhibition and presentation of the book published for this occasion, written by Josep Ma Cadena.

I exhibit my work at the Basel Fair, Switzerland, with the Galería Atelier of Barcelona.

After many trips to Morocco, this is the first exhibition that I dedicate to the Arabic theme.

The Espai Lluís Ribas is created in Barcelona’s Galería Mar, as part of a venture with the businessman Eusebio Albareda.

The book “Lluís Ribas” is published, written by J. Llop, and is no. 3 of the collection “Artistas Gal Art”.

My curiosity leads me to work in the field of sculpture, and I decide to make a functional sculpture which also serves as a table. Three copies are made in bronze.

Publication of my first book on Morocco. Texts by: Josep Maria Cadena, Joan Llop, J. Mascaró Pasarius, J. Ramirez Codina.

I open an exhibition in the Hotel Meliá to present the book “Morocco”. The 86 works which appear in the book are shown.

A great inauguration ceremony is held to open the Espai Lluís Ribas. A marquee is set up in the Plaza Magí Bartralot, in front of the gallery.

In Sant Cugat, among the activities held in Espai Lluís Ribas, a magazine called “Notas” is released.

A mini book is published on the Gal Art collection of my work dedicated to my sons. This collection was planned one night after a meal with Joan Llop.

I present the book and collection of Morocco paintings in the Hotel Miguel Ángel in Madrid.

Exhibition in the Ambassador Gallery in New York, as part of a group exhibition of Catalan painters sponsored by Josep Toutain, together with artists such as Joan Martí, Féliz Mas and Emilia Castañ

I take part in the “Brocanters i Galeristes” Fair with a stand from the Espai Lluís Ribas; in Palma, Majorca.

I take part in the Artexpo Fair with a stand from the Espai Lluís Ribas.

The official presentation of my work in the Wally Findlay Galleries in New York, as part of a group exhibition.

I present my first individual exhibition in the Wally Findlay Gallery of Palm Beach. Through it, my relationship with James Borynack and his galleries is strengthened.

I buy a small studio opposite the Marivent Palace in Palma, Majorca, which I can use when I spend time on the island.

With the idea of doing my large format paintings in situ, in the place where they were going to be exhibited, and wanting to get to know the cultural life of New York, I decide to move to Manhattan.

After setting up the “Espais d’Art de Sant Cugat” Association, which brought together the majority of art galleries in Sant Cugat, Josep Canals and I, as presidents of the association, promoted

A concrete sculpture of mine called “In honour of women” is erected in the Plaza Magí Bartralot, in Sant Cugat del Vallès, where I have my gallery. Mr.

This year I set up my second studio in Majorca, in Sta. Ma del Camí. There I have a big space to devote myself to creating large format paintings.

The Swedish company Verkerke carry out a series of reproductions of my work.

Written by J. Llop S., an anthological book released 25 years after my first individual exhibition.

I celebrate my 25 years’ dedication to painting with an exhibition in the Royal Monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès, inaugurated by the mayor Mr.

The company London Contemporary Art, in London, make a series of 4 signed and numbered silk screen printings of my work.

I set myself up in the studio in Vilajuïga, in the Alt Empordà region of Girona.

I publish a book called “96 Notes”, written by J.

Presentation of the book "96 Notes".

The company Rosenstild’s make a series of reproductions of my works.

Written by James Borynack and presented in the El Masnou Museum.

I inaugurate an exhibition in the El Masnou local museum, sponsored by the town council, with the presence of the mayor, Josep Azuara, the deputy mayor and councillor for culture Mr.

I direct a short film called “Flor”, produced by Vicenç Grande, who I had met at the inauguration of one of my exhibitions in the Horrach Moyà gallery in Palma, Majorca many years beforehand.

The book “Le Maroc de Lluís Ribas” is published; written by Josep Ma Cadena, art critic and expert in cultural topics.

In the Wally Findlay Gallery in New York, the collection of paintings on Morocco, “Le Maroc de Lluís Ribas”, is presented, together with the book of the same name in which all the exhibition’s

The exhibition "Le Maroc de Lluís Ribas" and the book of the same title are presented in the local hall of Bab el Kébir, (one of the architectural jewels of the Almogavars built in 1150 by the calip

The exhibition and the book “Le Maroc de Lluís Ribas” is presented in the chapterhouse of the Royal Monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès.

I encourage a well-known business man from Sant Cugat, Josep Maria Negre, the owner of Autocugat, an Opel dealership (Opel are important sponsors in the art and sports world), to sponsor a small forma

I suggest widening the Autocugat prizes to Mr. Negre, to include a prize for best art career, to which all Spanish painters could aspire.

James Borynack, the owner of the Wally Findlay Galleries, offers me the opportunity to present his artists exclusively in my Espai Lluís Ribas space, which interests me hugely, since it is not easy o

I present one of my paintings, the aim of which is to increase the artistic heritage of the RCD Mallorca and its foundation.

The Autocugat prize was further expanded to include a study grant aimed at students from the Faculty of Fine Art in Barcelona.

I present my work “Els colors del blanc”, and the book in which all the paintings are reproduced, written by the poet Santiago Montobbio.

Written by the poet Santiago Montobbio and presented in the Royal Monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès, gathering together my new collection of paintings.

Invited by the mayor of this beautiful town, and captivated by its artistic and natural setting, I present a sample of my latest works in Cerdanya.

During the inauguration of the artist Lluís Ribas’ exhibition in the Mare de Déu de l’Esperança chapel in Bolvir de Cerdanya, the mayor of the town, Mr.

To close the travelling circuit of the collection “Els colors del blanc”, which I had so thoroughly enjoyed, I present it on the 1st October in the Wally Findlay Gallery in New York.

Today is one of my most important days, professionally, comparable with my first individual exhibition in New York, as both were among my professional aims to be achieved.

I celebrate the opening of my new studio in La Floresta – Sant Cugat del Vallès, designed by my architect son David, where I can work with the best conditions of light and space in creating my larg

For the third consecutive year, I am starting a new course of painting classes in my project “Arte solidario” (Solidary art).

As part of my “Arte solidario” project, a book has been published entitled: “Els colors del monestir” which reproduces 20 small works portraying the Royal Monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès.

The opening took place at the Royal Monastery of Sant Cugat of the exhibition: “Els colors del monestir”, my collection of 20 small paintings of the Sant Cugat monastery, done at different seasons