No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArt WalksThe art and humor of Hugo Díaz lives on at an Alajuela...

The art and humor of Hugo Díaz lives on at an Alajuela exhibit

Recommended: 5 questions for a Costa Rican cartoonist

Political cartoonist Hugo Díaz died in 2001, but he left a legacy of 7,000 drawings to help keep his memory alive, now in a collection at the University of Costa Rica. Díaz’s work is known for his details, crowd scenes and his sharp wit.  He touched on themes of inequality, corruption, political life and tiquicia in general – and he was very funny.

Born in 1930, he began drawing cartoons at the age of 14 for his high school paper at the Liceo de Costa Rica in San José. His actual press career began a few years later at a time when political cartoons were once again becoming popular; his appeared in La República, Semanario Universidad, El Pueblo and others. He also illustrated books, the best known being the children’s classic Cocorí.

Don Hugo’s style and humor attracted attention, and he became increasingly well known. His easily recognized drawings were seen on pamphlets, public notices, and theater programs. He had standard characters including Ms. Costa Rica, the campesino in his canvas hat, and a striped cat that talked.

Hugo Díaz
Hugo Díaz

Don Hugo’s work is a chronology of customs, political and social modes and changes over the years. Many of the cartoons are as relevant today and they were in years past; others remind us how times have changed. In don Hugo’s own words, “much of the world has changed.  The campesino in the canvas hat no longer exists, but his problems are the same.” Ditto for many social problems.

Toward the end of his life, don Hugo’s eyesight began to fade, and his heavy rimmed glasses became a part of his image as well as his full head of wavy gray hair and his round figure. But he continued drawing. And his drawings continued to enlighten, to sting and to point out, up until his death on June 17, 2001.

An exhibit of some of his work fills three rooms at the Juan Santamaría Museum and Cultural Center in Alajuela; it will be on display through Jan. 23, 2018. The museum is in the old fort across from the central park in the heart of Alajuela, is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30p.m. Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) and is free.

Hugo Díaz
Hugo Díaz

Older woman:  I don’t understand about this eternal debt.

Politician:  Not eternal debt. Internal debt.

Man with beard:  The lady is right, because even if we sell everything….

Trending Now

Costa Rican Lottery Official Investigated in Money Laundering Case

Another money laundering case has shaken Costa Rica. Following a series of raids that dismantled a laundering network operating through legal and illegal lottery...

Keylor Navas Joins Pumas UNAM in Major Liga MX Transfer

Keylor Navas has agreed to become the new goalkeeper for Pumas UNAM, marking one of the biggest signings in recent Liga MX history. The...

A Closer Look at the Elusive Purple Gallinule in Costa Rica

Quick! Think of a purple bird! It’s a little difficult, right? I searched my brain and came up with a purple martin. A small...

US Visa Cost Increase for Travelers and Workers Under New Law

United States President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law on July 4, introducing a new surcharge for most non-immigrant US...

Meet the Bats of Costa Rica from Tent Makers to Fish Hunters

Costa Rica is home to around 220 species of non-marine mammals. Roughly half of those species, 117 is the current number, are the type...

Costa Rica Rescues Endangered Amphibians and Turtles in Store Bust

The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), through its Specialized Section Against Environmental Crimes, carried out an operation at a store in Vázquez de Coronado, San...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica