Darío Suro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darío Suro
Cultural attaché, Embassy of the Dominican Republic Embassy, Mexico City
In office 1943–1947
Constituency	Dominican Republic
National Director of Fine Arts
In office 1947–1950
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Cultural attaché, Dominican Republic Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Madrid
In office 1950 – c. 1953
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Cultural attaché, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Washington, D.C.
In office 1962–1965
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Counselor, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Washington, D.C.
In office 1965–1967
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Minister Counselor, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Washington, D.C.
In office 1967–1970
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Washington, D.C.
In office 1970–1980
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Adjunct Ambassador, Alternate Representative, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Washington, D.C.
In office 1980–1996
Constituency	Dominican Republic
Personal details
Born	June 13, 1917 La Vega, Dominican Republic
Died	January 18, 1997(1997-01-18) (aged 79) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Spouse	Maruxa Franco Fernandez
Relations	Federico García Godoy (grandfather) Enrique García-Godoy (uncle) Rosa Delia García-Godoy (aunt) Héctor García-Godoy (cousin) Harold Priego García-Godoy (first cousin once removed) Laura García-Godoy (first cousin twice removed)
Children	Jaime, Federico and Rosa
Alma mater	Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado "La Esmeralda"
Occupation	Art critic, diplomat, painter

Darío Antonio Suro García-Godoy (born June 13, 1917, in La Vega – died January 18, 1997, in Santo Domingo) was a famous Dominican painter, art critic, and diplomat. He is remembered as one of the most important Dominican artists of the 20th century.

Suro's paintings showed many different styles. He started with impressionist art, then moved to neo-realism, and later to abstract art. He is known as one of the artists who helped start modern art in the Dominican Republic. Other artists like Yoryi Morel, Jaime Colson, and Celeste Woss y Gil were also part of this movement.

Darío Suro studied art with his uncle, Enrique García-Godoy, in his home country. He also worked as a diplomat for many years. His first diplomatic job was in 1943 as a cultural attaché in Mexico. While in Mexico, Suro learned from famous artists like Diego Rivera. He later lived and worked in Spain and the United States.

Darío Suro: Early Life and Art

Darío Suro was born in La Vega, Dominican Republic. His family had many intellectuals and artists. His grandfather, Federico García Godoy, was a writer. His uncle, Enrique Garcia Godoy, was a painter who started an art school.

Darío's parents were Jaime Vicente Suro Sánchez and Isabel Emilia García-Godoy Ceara. They named him and his brother Ruben after the famous poet Rubén Darío. From a young age, Darío wanted to be an artist, even though his parents had other plans for him. He started studying at his uncle's art school in 1935.

His early paintings showed the beautiful tropical landscapes of his hometown. He used soft colors in these works. He became known as an Impressionist landscape artist. He often painted horses and rainy scenes from the Cibao region of his country.

Suro had his first art show by himself in 1938 in Santo Domingo. After that, his art was shown in group exhibitions in New York City. This included shows at the Riverside Museum and the Dominican Republic Pavilion at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

In 1940, Suro took part in an art show for the Caribbean region. In 1942, he had another solo exhibition in Santo Domingo. In 1943, he married Maruxa Franco Fernandez, who was a school teacher.

Art and Diplomacy Abroad

Mexico: A New Artistic Style (1943-1947)

Soon after getting married, Darío Suro and his wife moved to Mexico City. He was appointed as a cultural attaché at the Dominican Republic Embassy. This meant he helped share Dominican culture in Mexico. At that time, Mexico City was a very important place for art in Latin America.

Suro studied art at a famous school called Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado "La Esmeralda". He learned from well-known Mexican artists like Diego Rivera and Agustín Lazo. He also became friends with other artists like Frida Kahlo. In 1944, he won second prize at an art competition in Santo Domingo. Two years later, he won first prize.

Living in Mexico changed Suro's painting style a lot. He was inspired by Mexican artists who focused on their country's culture. Suro wanted to create a Dominican art style that showed the country's Black heritage.

In 1946, his art was shown in a group exhibition in Mexico City. The next year, he had a solo show there, which made him very famous. However, his job at the embassy suddenly ended. He heard that the leader of his country was not happy with all the attention he was getting.

When Suro returned home, a famous Mexican writer, José Vasconcelos, visited the Dominican Republic. He told the country's leader that Suro was "brilliant." Because of this, Suro was named Director of Fine Arts in 1947. He had another successful art show in Santo Domingo that year. As Director, he welcomed important guests and organized cultural events.

Spain: Exploring European Art (1950-1953)

In 1950, Suro was sent to Spain as a cultural attaché. He moved to Madrid with his family. There, he became friends with important Spanish artists. He also saw many great artworks by artists like Diego Velázquez, El Greco, and Francisco Goya. Living in Spain allowed him to travel to other European cities like Paris and London. He especially loved Italy and the art of Piero della Francesca.

Suro continued to combine his diplomatic work with his art. He showed his paintings in group exhibitions in Madrid and Barcelona. He also participated in important art events like the First Hispano-American Biennial. During his time in Spain, Suro started painting his first abstract artworks, influenced by new art trends in Europe.

Just like in Mexico, his job in Spain suddenly ended without a clear reason. His friends advised him and his family to leave the country.

Life in the United States

New York City and Washington, D.C. (1953-1996)

In 1953, Darío Suro moved to New York City with his family. He didn't speak much English, and it was hard for him to find work as an artist. He eventually found a job painting porcelain and other objects in a factory. Even with this job, Suro explored the New York art scene. He met art dealers and gallery owners.

Suro also became an important art critic. He wrote articles about famous artists like Piet Mondrian and Stuart Davis in Spanish. He also wrote about Joaquín Torres García. He wrote for many international art magazines and newspapers.

He became friends with American artists like Franz Kline and Philip Guston. He often visited the Cedar Tavern, a famous spot for artists in Manhattan. He called it "one of the great universities of my life." In New York, Suro changed his art style again. He started painting geometric abstract images and later more expressive, informal works.

He showed his art in group exhibitions in New York. In 1962, he had a solo exhibition at the Poindexter Gallery in Manhattan.

In 1962, his childhood friend, Juan Bosch, became President of the Dominican Republic. President Bosch appointed Suro as the cultural attaché at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Washington, D.C.. Suro stayed in diplomatic roles in Washington, D.C. for most of the rest of his life.

Suro kept painting and showing his art around the world even as he got older. He also continued writing for various publications. He was promoted several times in his diplomatic career, eventually becoming an Adjunct Ambassador.

Later Years and Legacy

In October 1996, Darío Suro returned to the Dominican Republic with his wife. He hoped to focus more on his art. However, he passed away in January 1997, at the age of 79. Many friends and important Dominican leaders attended his funeral.

Darío Suro was the first artist to receive the "Premio Nacional de Artes Plasicas" (National Plastic Arts Award) in the Dominican Republic in 1993. This award was given to him by President Joaquín Balaguer. After his death, his wife received the "Orden de Duarte, Sanchez y Mella" medal in his honor in 1999.

Personal Life

Darío Suro married Maruxa Franco Fernandez in 1943. They had three children: Jaime, Federico, and Rosa. Sadly, their first son, Jaime, died shortly before his second birthday.

Darío Suro died on January 18, 1997, when he was 79 years old.

Gallery

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  Numbers, 1958 (Private Collection)

See also

In Spanish: Darío Suro para niños