Elmar Rojas

Born in 1938 in San Raymundo Penafort, Elmar Rojas initiated his professional career as architect, but subsequently studied art in Spain at the Univeridad Comlutense in Madrid, the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris, France and the Pietro Vannucci art institute in Perugia, Italy. He founded the Guatemalan Ministry of Culture and was its first Minister. As one of the artists of the " Magic Realism" movement, he was influenced by writers such as Miguel Angel Asturias and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In 1969, Rojas joined forces with other artists in a movement called "Vertebra." This group promoted not only creative ideas, but also political thinking. Rojas won many international awards, including the most prestigious "Cristobal Colon" award for best new artist. His works are featured in museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of New York City. Rojas' work is represented in Miami at Rojas Ford Fine Art in Coral Gables, a collaborative gallery with his daughter, Mayari Rojas. Rojas died in Guatemala City on Sunday, February 18, 2018.