Francisco Toledo

An Oaxacan artist born in 1940, Toledo is celebrated not only for his artistic practice but also for his work as an activist, social advocate, and environmentalist. Thanks to his influence and community engagement, Oaxaca’s historic centre has resisted the arrival of international franchises, encouraging the consumption and preservation of local products. He is regarded as one of the most important living Mexican artists.

In addition to working as a draughtsman, printmaker, painter, sculptor, and ceramicist, he has contributed to various projects by creating designs for open cultural spaces, such as the Ex Convento de San Pablo in central Oaxaca. His commitment to cultural promotion also led to the founding of institutions such as the Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca, the Taller Arte Papel Oaxaca, and the Centro de Artes de San Agustín, among others.

Much of his work focuses on the representation and reinterpretation of nature, often moving towards the fantastical through hybrids and zoomorphic figures.