(b. December 5, 1939 – Guatemala City, Guatemala)
Luis Humberto Díaz Aldana is a renowned Guatemalan artist, architect, and cultural visionary, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to abstract and conceptual art in Central America. His multidisciplinary work spans painting, sculpture, printmaking, muralism, and architecture.
He earned his degree in architecture from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) in 1961. In 1964, together with Daniel Schafer, he co-founded Galería DS, recognized as the first modern art gallery in Guatemala. The gallery quickly became a cornerstone for the country’s contemporary visual arts scene.
As an architect, Díaz Aldana played a key role in designing several important public buildings, including:
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The Educational Resources Building of USAC
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The Institute for Municipal Development (INFOM)
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The Central Library of USAC
His architectural vision blends functional design with artistic expression, often addressing cultural identity and social challenges in Guatemala.
As a visual artist, Díaz Aldana is known for his use of geometric abstraction and unconventional materials. His work has been featured in numerous prestigious international biennials, including:
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Paris
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Santiago
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São Paulo
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Venice
In 1971, he received the Latin American Art Prize Francisco Tatarazzo Sobrinho at the XI São Paulo Biennial. In recognition of his lifetime achievements, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Faculty of Architecture at USAC in 2006, and the Order of the Quetzal (Grand Cross) in 2016 — the highest honor granted by the Guatemalan government.
With over six decades of artistic and architectural exploration, Luis Díaz Aldana remains a central figure in Guatemala’s cultural history, constantly pursuing excellence and innovation in both form and concept.
- Guatemala
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