The Jorge Alió Foundation chooses culture and art as a way of raising society’s awareness and stimulating its support for the prevention of blindness.
With the goal of transmitting this important message, the National Miradas art contest is created in 1998. Very soon it attracted the attention of other countries, starting in America with the Miradas of Latin America in (2004 ) and now promoting to worldwide projection with Miradas international in 2016.
Now, countries from all over the world participate in it aiming for the same message.
The Miradas art contest was created in 1998 as part of the cultural and social activities organized on the occasion of the 74th Congress of the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology ALICANTE SEO '98 where the I National Miradas Painting Contest took place. From which the idea arose of holding a biennial event, open to all artistic forms interpreting the main theme of the congress: The Glance and Vision with the principal aim of drawing the attention of both artists and society to raise awareness of the importance of visual care and prevention of blindness through art.
The contest "Miradas of Latin America" created in 2004 constitutes a meeting platform between science and art, developing an initiative for communication from the medical profession with fellow countries which helps to explain the importance of vision for the human being.
The I Miradas of Latin America contest joined countries like Argentina , Colombia , Mexico, Dominican Republic, Uruguay , Ecuador and Venezuela, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
The "International Miradas" contest includes now other countries from different continents and the artists can also participate with artworks that deal with the message of Miradas and pursue to attract the attention of the society toward Ophthalmology and the relevance of Vision.
In this first edition of Miradas International, 22 countries from worldwide are participating, which, through their own organization create their own contest to select the artworks that will participate in the international event. The selection of the paintings and the Miradas International Award is performed by the juries of these different countries, which will vote each one independently to select the winning artwork.
The award of the VII International Miradas Art Contest was $ 4,000 sponsored by Schwind EyeTech Solutions.
The award of the VIII International Miradas Art Contest also had an amount of $ 4,000 and was sponsored by OPHTEC.
The award of the IX International Miradas Art Contest has an amount of $ 4,000 and is sponsored by OPHTEC.
The name of the artist and the winning artwork of the country will be announced during the meeting of the Annual Congress of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and shall remain in the ophthalmology center of the country that presented the art work.
Since (2005), the art of Miradas illustrate the cover page of the Journal of Refractive Surgery and also it has been displayed as the cover page of several Ophthalmology books, Congress announcements and other scientific activities that reflect this fusion between Vision and Art.
Miradas (the translation in English is “Glances”) is an international art painting contest celebrated since 2016 on a global level, aiming to draw the attention of society to vision and the prevention of blindness, using art as the platform of understanding in this respect with the practice of Ophthalmology..
The paintings will have the privilege of being featured on the cover page of the Journal of Refractive Surgery reaching over 20,000 ophthalmologists worldwide.
Miradas is celebrated every 2 years. Each country will present 1 to 3 paintings through its representative (an ophthalmologist or a clinical organization) which will compete with the others. These paintings should convey a message with the value of sight, vision and the prevention of blindness. The artist shall provide an interpretation of the painting in this respect. High quality paintings and important artwork are to be selected for this purpose.
The jury will be formed in each country by several art experts and the ophthalmologist’s representative, who will give their opinion on all the artwork presented by the different countries providing a score for each. The one that receives the highest score is the winner. All the evaluations are performed in electronic format.
The winning artwork is kept as property of the promotional doctor or clinic who has presented the artwork as candidate. The artist will receive the official award and a compensation of 4,000 dollars. The awarded artwork and most of the international finalists’ paintings will illustrate the cover page of the Journal of Refractive Surgery in the year following the contest.
The voting for the next Miradas International award will be in June 2023.
The Miradas International award winner will be announced following the international voting. The award will be given to the artist or the international representative at the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) award ceremony and reception during the ISRS Subspecialty Day of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
No expenses are to be incurred by anyone. The artwork will be circulating in electronic format in the form of high-quality photos provided by the artist and the complete selection process will be by electronic media.
The Miradas Award was initially created in Spain by Professor Jorge L Alio and his wife, Maria Lopez in 1998.
The artwork is featured on the cover page of every issue of the Journal of Refractive Surgery selected by the qualified editorial staff of SLACK Inc. and the journal includes a comment with the artistic impression of Prof. Jorge Alio and a brief description of the artist’s CV.
In 2023, the sponsor of Miradas International will be the ophthalmic company Biotech (Ireland).
The contact e-mail for any further information: presidencia@fundacionalio.com and jlalio@vissum.com
Artworks that have participated representing Spain throughout the history of the contest
Title: Photo sensem | Author: Ewa Koziór |
Country: Poland | Technique: Acrylic on canvas |
Dimensions (W x H) (cm): | 55 x 46 |
Description: | You cannot perceive without seeing, but you can perceive by seeing. This is the daily experience of our sight and perception. Sławomir Mrożek |
Poland is the winning country of this new 2023 edition of Miradas International with the artwork entitled “Photo sense” by the artist Ewa Koziór.
This is the first time that Poland has won this award since the first Miradas International took place in 2004.
This year a total of 114 artworks were presented representing countries from all over the world. The Polish artist Ewa Koziór won the award in this new edition 2023 with the artwork entitled “Photo Sense”.
The award is 4.000 dollars and is sponsored by the ophthalmological company BIOTECH HEALTHCARE IBERIA. The award ceremony will take place in November 2023 during the celebration of the ISRS congress of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in the city of San Francisco.
The technique used is acrylic on canvas, with dimensions of 55 x 46 cm. The artist has tried to express in her painting a sentence from Slawomir Mrozek that states “You cannot perceive without seeing, but you can perceive by seeing. This is the daily experience of our sight and perception."
Ewa Koziór was born in 1985 in Radom (Poland). From an early age, she loved to draw and paint. After graduating from the Art High School, she chose a completely different direction. She graduated from Medical College with a specialization as a dental technician and worked in this profession for 7 years. While she enjoyed creating new smiles, deep down, she wanted to express herself in a different way. So, she opened a tattoo studio and till today, she is trying to create tattoos that make her clients happier. After 15 years she returned to painting. Coming back was a challenge, but it brought her a lot of satisfaction.
She is glad that she can share at least a bit of her sensitivity with others. Summarizing: what you have in your soul and your heart, express it freely.
Finalists
Participating works in the Miradas International 2023 Competition, ordered by score
Title: Te veo | Author: Natividad Pamies Diez |
Country: Spain | Technique: Oil on canvas |
Dimensions (W x H) (cm): | 100 x 81 |
Description: | Hello Tania ! - Hello, What have you got there? - Some glasses - How beautiful, Have you made them? - Yes !, You like them? - I love them, Will you leave them for me for a while? - Ok, I'll leave them to you if you take a picture of me - Done ! - I see you !!!! |
Spain is the winning country of this new 2020 edition of Miradas International with the artwork entitled “Te Veo“ by the artist Natividad Pamies Diez.
This is the third time that Spain has won this award since the first Miradas International took place in 2004.
This year a total of 40 artworks were presented representing countries from all over the world. The Spanish artist Natividad Pamies Diez won the award in this new edition 2020 with the artwork entitled “Te Veo”.
The award consists of 4.000 dollars and is sponsored by the Dutch ophthalmology company OPTHEC. The award ceremony will take place next autumn 2021 during the celebration of the congress of the American Academy of Opthalmology in the city of Las Vegas
Natividad Pamies Diez was born in Crevillente (Alicante) in 1960. Since she was a child she has been interested in oil painting and is a self -taught artist. Ten years ago, following a long period of over twenty five years without picking up a paintbrush, she decided to take up painting again encouraged by her children.
Her passion is visiting museums and seeing exhibitions. She likes very much current figurative painting but she also enjoys the light of Sorolla and Renoir’s color. Painting has always been always idyllic love of her life that she now has and from which she does not want to separate.
Award Ceremony
El pasado viernes 26 de marzo, se hizo entrega del diploma acreditativo y de su correspondiente dotación económica a la artista galardonada con el Premio Miradas Internacional, la española de Crevillente, Natividad Pamies por su obra “Te veo”, entrega que por primera vez se celebra en Alicante cuando es habitual realizarlo en Estados Unidos durante la celebración del congreso de la Academia Americana de Oftalmología.
En la imagen podemos ver de izquierda a derecha a Fernando Alió (Vicepresidente primero y patrono de la Fundación Jorge Alió), María López (Presidenta ejecutiva de la Fundación Jorge Alió), Natividad Pamies (ganadora del premio Miradas Internacional 2020) y el Profesor Dr. Jorge Alió (Presidente Honorífico de la Fundación Jorge Alió y Coordinador del certámen para España)
Title: Guardianes de la memoria IV (2017) Author: Diego Dayer | |
Country: Argentina | Technique: Oil on canvas |
Dimensions (W x H) (cm): | 50 x 60 |
Diego Dayer winner of the VIII Miradas International Art Contest
Argentina is the winning country of this new 2018 edition with the artwork entitled “Guardians of memory IV” by the artist Diego Dayer.
Diego Dayer (Google+)
Diego Dayer is an artist born in Rafaela, Argentina, on 13th November 1978.
He started his studies in 1993 in the studio of the artist Marcela Grosso who encouraged him day by day to pursue his own artistic direction. When he decided to spread his wings and carry on developing as an artist he continued his specialization in different courses, seminars and workshops as well as in the Fine Arts School of the National University of Córdoba.
After several years of artistic activity in his home town he moved to Córdoba, Argentina in 2002 to start the Art School of the National University, where he currently lives and works. He has had collective and individual exhibitions in cities of Argentina, USA and Spain.
In this year’s edition of Miradas International, a total of 22 countries have participated represented by 42 artworks of recognized quality and highly varied techniques ranging from the oil on canvas of the winning artwork to soluble lead, diorama and colored porcelain to mention just some.
The award sponsored this year by OPHTEC will be given during the Annual Congress of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) which will take place in the city of Chicago (USA) from 27th to the 30th October 2018.
From the Jorge Alió Foundation we congratulate the artist Diego Dayer and the coordinator representing his country, Argentina, Dr. Omar Lopez Mato for winning the Miradas International Award 2018.
Award Ceremony
In October 26 th 2019, during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in Chicago (USA), it took place the Award Ceremony of the VIII Miradas International Contest, which was received by the winner, Argentinean artist Diego Dayer, author of the awarded painting “Guardianes de la memoria IV”. The award consists in 4000 US dollars and a diploma which were given to his representative Dr Thomas Jaesche, also represented Dr Omar Lopez Mato, the Argentinean coordinator of the Contest in Argentina.
In the image we can see from left to right Dr John Kanellopoulos (former President of the ISRS), Professor Jorge Alio (President of the Jorge Alio Foundation and Director of the Miradas International Contest and Coordinator of Miradas in Spain), Dr Thomas Jaeschke and Dr John Chang (President of the ISRS). Also present on the Award Ceremony was Mr Eric-Jan Worst, International CEO of OPHTEC, company that sponsored the 2018 Miradas International Award.
Title: La visión | Author: Fernando Oliveri |
Country: Uruguay | Technique: Oil on canvas |
Dimensions (W x H) (cm): | 150 x 110 |
Description: | Vision, the starting point for great creations. |
The Uruguayan Fernando Oliveri is the winner of Miradas 2016 with his painting “La Visión”.
This is the first year that the event has been celebrated with this new name (previously Miradas of Hispanoamerica) with 22 countries participating from different continents of the world with 60 paintings of recognized quality and original techniques ranging from oil on canvas (the winning artwork) to spray paint on aluminium or the Chinese ink.
Fernando Oliveri was born in the city of Montevideo the 11th August 1957. At the age of 21, he started at the Art School “San Francisco de Asís” under the guidance of Clever Lara, where he remained until 1981.
Later he joined to the well known Uruguayan painter studio Gustavo Alamon where he stayed for 8 years. In 1986 he joined the “Montevideo Drawing Club” and in 1989 he collaborated again with the artist Clever Lara in his art studio.
From 1982 until today he has participated in different individual and collective exhibitions inside and out of his country, obtaining several awards and distinctions.
The award ceremony will be held during the meeting of the Annual Congress of American Academy of Ophthalmology celebrated in the city of Chicago from the 14th to 18th October 2016.
From the Jorge Alio Foundation, we congratulate the artist Fernando Oliveri and the Uruguayan coordinator Dr Agustin Echague who has achieved the International Award Miradas 2016. Congratulations to the organization of Vision Echague Ophthalmological Center and especially to the winning artist.
Award Ceremony
The Award certificate, sculpture and 4.000$ were given to the Miradas Award winner, represented by Dr. Pedro Echague for the Echague Ophthalmological Institute of Montevideo, Uruguay at the Annual Congress of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, International Society of Refractive Surgery Award ceremony, October 14th 2016.
At the picture we can see (from left to right) Mr. Rolf Schwind (Schwind Eye Solutions,CEO), sponsor of the Miradas International Award, Prof.Jorge L. Alió (founder of the Miradas Art Contest and Honorary President of Jorge Alio Foundation ,Spain), Dr. Pedro Echague (Miradas Award coordinator for Uruguay, representing the awarded artist Mr. Fernando Oliveri) and John Kallenopulos (President of the International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of ophthalmology, ISRS/AAO).
Algeria
Sihem Lazreg
Argentina
Roberto Zaldivar
Dr. Carlos Gordillo
Australia
Ben LaHood
Belgium
Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill
Brazil
Renato Ambrosio
Bruno Fontes
Druval Carvalho Jr
China
Shilhao Chen
Denmark
Jesper Hjordtal
Dominican Republic
Miguel Angel Zato
Germany
Burkhard Dick
Greece
Petros Rasoglou
Hungary
Zoltan Nagy
Iran
Mohammad Ghoreishi
Ireland
Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill
Israel
Elisha Bartov
Italy
Lucio Buratto
Kuwait
Dr. Nabil Al Failakayi
Dra. Ms. Hanan Ayyash
New Zealand
Matat Lipsky
Philippines
Teodoro Gonzales
Poland
Andrzej Grzybowski
Portugal
Helena Filipe
Joao Barbosa Breda
Spain
Jorge L. Alió
Turkey
Dr. Baha Toygar
United Kingdom
Dr. Dan Reinstein
Lucy Mackenzie
United States of America
Nicole Maloney
Venezuela
José Vargas
For The Prevention of Blindness
The Jorge Alio Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness is dedicated to the promotion of research, education and preventive medicine in all areas of ophthalmology, directly or indirectly related to this field of knowledge and focusing on the prevention and treatment of blindness with special attention to the underprivileged groups of our society, both on a national level and in the field of international cooperation. For these reasons the Foundation promotes, encourages and carries out cultural and social activities related to the field of ophthalmology as well as those of a International Cooperation for Development NGO. Foundation Jorge Alio develops six areas of activities:
CEO
Jorge Alió Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness