Francisco Toledo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Toledo
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Toledo in 2005
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Francisco Benjamín López Toledo
17 July 1940 Mexico City, Mexico
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| Died | 5 September 2019 (aged 79) |
| Nationality | Mexican (Zapotec) |
| Known for | Graphic art |
| Spouse(s) | Trine Ellitsgaard |
| Awards | Right Livelihood Award |
Francisco Benjamín López Toledo (born July 17, 1940 – died September 5, 2019) was a famous Mexican artist. He was a painter, sculptor, and graphic artist. He belonged to the Zapotec people, an indigenous group from Mexico.
Toledo created thousands of artworks over 70 years. Many people consider him one of Mexico's most important modern artists. He was also an activist who worked to protect the art and culture of Oaxaca state. Toledo was part of a group of artists called the "Breakaway Generation."
Contents
Early Life and Artistic Training
Francisco Toledo was born in Mexico City in 1940. His parents were Francisco López Orozco and Florencia Toledo Nolasco. He began his art studies at a young age.
He attended the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Oaxaca. Later, he studied graphic arts in Mexico City. He learned from a teacher named Guillermo Silva Santamaria. As a young man, Toledo also studied art in Paris, France. There, he met other famous artists like Rufino Tamayo.
Toledo's Artistic Career
Toledo worked with many different art forms. He made pottery, sculptures, and woven pieces. He was also known for his graphic arts and paintings. His art has been shown in many countries around the world. These include Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Japan, and the United States.
An art critic named Dore Ashton described Toledo as a "modern artist." She said he could see both the big picture and the smallest details in nature. This helped him create unique and interesting artworks.
When he was only 19, Toledo had a solo art show in Fort Worth, Texas. This exhibition brought him international attention. He lived and worked in Paris starting in 1960. He returned to Mexico in 1965.
In the late 1970s, he lived briefly in New York. His art was shown at the Everson Museum of Art. In 1980, the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City held a big show of his work. His art was also displayed in Chicago in 1984. Toledo eventually settled in Oaxaca in the 1980s.
Toledo's work was featured at the Venice Biennale in 1997. This is a very important art exhibition. In 2000, over 90 of his artworks were shown in London and Madrid. A large four-volume book was published in 2017. It showed many of Toledo's works from museums and collections worldwide.
Art and Activism
Francisco Toledo cared deeply about his home state of Oaxaca. He used his art and influence to help his community. He helped create an art library called the Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca (IAGO). He also helped start the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO).
Toledo was a cultural conservationist. This means he worked to protect local traditions and places. He famously protested against a McDonald's restaurant being built in Oaxaca City. He also led protests to stop a convention center from being built on a local mountain.
In 2014, 43 students disappeared in Iguala, Guerrero. Toledo created an exhibition of kites to remember them. This honored a tradition from Oaxaca. The exhibition was called Duelo (Mourning).
Awards and Recognition
Toledo received many important awards for his art and activism.
- National Prize for Arts and Sciences (1998)
- Prince Claus Award (2000)
- Federico Sescosse Prize (2003)
- Right Livelihood Award (2005)
Personal Life
Francisco Toledo's parents were from the Zapotec people. He was married three times. His third wife was Trine Ellitsgaard, a weaver from Denmark. He had several children who also became artists. These include the poet Natalia Toledo and artists Laureana Toledo and Dr Lakra.
Francisco Toledo passed away on September 5, 2019, at the age of 79.
Tribute
On July 17, 2021, Google celebrated what would have been his 81st birthday. They honored him with a special Google Doodle on their homepage.
Images for kids
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Toledo in 2005
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Self-portrait
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"Chivo" (goat)
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Toledo para niños
