Basque illustrator and artist Amaia Arrazola has passed away at the age of 41, leaving behind a deep imprint on the contemporary art world. Her work, recognized for its colorfulness, sensitivity and social outlook, marked a before and after in the Spanish illustration scene.
What did Amaia Arrazola die of?
Arrazola died as a consequence of a fulminant pathology that was not disclosed to the public beforehand. Her publisher reported that the artist succumbed to the accelerated progression of the disease, which did not allow for a prolonged treatment or a visible recovery to the public.
According to publishing sources who confirmed her death, the illustrator died in Barcelona on November 5, 2025 and the premature loss of this artist leaves an emotional and professional hole in the creative community.
After his training and career, his unexpected death has shocked his peers and followers, who valued both his talent and his sensitivity expressed in illustrated and visual works.
How were his last years of life
During her last years, Amaia Arrazola maintained an intense creative rhythm, alternating editorial work with large-scale urban projects. Based in Barcelona, she participated in monumental murals, collaborations with renowned brands and works for cultural institutions, even when her health was already deteriorating.
Among his most recent works are murals in the neighborhood of Gràcia and pieces for large-format shows such as for Cirque du Soleil. In 2023, his project “Contra el olvido” was awarded in Madrid as a tribute to the ‘Sinsombrero’, that group of women artists who marked history and who were also part of Arrazola’s line of work.
Despite the illness that finally defeated her, the illustrator continued to create, participating in festivals, exhibitions and collaborations until practically the end. Her dedication to art and visual storytelling allowed her to leave a profound legacy, in multiple formats, which now takes on greater value after her departure.
Your professional career
Amaia Arrazola’s career began in Vitoria-Gasteiz (1984) and she trained in Advertising and Public Relations. Later, she worked as an art director in Madrid before moving to Barcelona in 2010 to devote herself fully to freelance illustration.
His collaborations ranged from design and fashion giants (such as Nike or Uniqlo) to cultural institutions such as the University of Barcelona, the City Council of Barcelona or the Provincial Council of Bizkaia. In the publishing field, he published renowned titles such as “Wabi Sabi” (2018), the result of an artistic experience in Japan, and “Totoro and I” (2022), inspired by the universe of director Hayao Miyazaki.
“El meteorito” (2020) explored her motherhood, while other children’s books such as “Buenas noches, Simón” addressed the acceptance of differences with tenderness. Her style, characterized by clean strokes, friendly palettes and a sense of graphic humor, also extended to urban walls, ceramics, silkscreen printing and other experimental supports, which consolidated her as one of the most versatile creators of her generation.
