Carlos Merida was a significant figure in the development of modern art in Latin America. He was born in Guatemala City in 1891 and studied art in Europe in the 1910s and 1920s, where he was influenced by the avant-garde movements of the time. After returning to Guatemala, he became a leading figure in the country’s cultural scene. His abstract and geometric paintings and sculptures were highly influential in developing abstract art in Latin America.
Merida used bright, bold colors and geometric shapes in his work, and his paintings and sculptures often featured elements of Mayan and other indigenous cultures. He was also interested in his time’s social and political issues, and his art often reflected these concerns.
Throughout his career, Merida exhibited his work widely, both in Guatemala and internationally, and his work can be found in galleries and museums around the world. He continued to create art until he died in 1984. His legacy as a pioneer of abstract art in Latin America has continued to be recognized and celebrated in the years since.
Merida continues to be a great source of inspiration in my print and fabric design work. I create Merida-inspired designs as vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator and custom print my fabric designs at Spoonflower.
