Jesús Martínez Guerricabeitia belongs to a generation marked by the war and the repressive nature of Franco’s regime.
Once he was released after a traumatic stay in prison, he becomes a young entrepreneur.

After creating his own business in a whitening storehouse, he emigrates with his wife and son to Colombia in 1951, and in 1968 they move to the Virgin Islands to then move permanently to Valencia in 1970.

Upon the initiative of Mr. Jesús Martínez Guerricabeitia, the Patronato Martínez Guerricabeitia (Martínez Guerricabeitia Trust) is created in 1989 within the frame of the University of Valencia General Foundation, with the aim of promoting and disseminating the creative activity within the field of plastic arts and increase the artistic heritage of the institution.

In 1999 he donates to the University of Valencia his collection of contemporary art, consisting of over 400 pieces, 129 works, 274 copies of serial works.
In 2004, Jesús Martínez Guerricabeitia donates to the Biblioteca Valenciana (Valencian Library) the most of his personal library, consisting about 23.000 volumes, including books and periodic publications.

Awards:

• 1998: Award of the Valencian Association of Art Critics (AVCA)
• 1999: Medalla de Sant Carles (Saint Charles Medal) of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Universitat Politècnica de València
• 2008: Medalla de Plata (Silver Medal) of the Valencia Council of Culture
• 2013: Premi Important (Important Award) of the Levante-EMV newspaper