Born on December 2, 1891, in Guatamala City, Carlos Merida was a muralist and canvas painter who relocated to Mexico and completed most of his work here. He was encouraged to pursue art by his father, since a malformed ear forced him to abandon his first choice: music. He traveled and studied in the US and Europe, where he was influenced by avant grade movements and met and became friends with other Latin American artists.
Merida was a member of the Mexican muralist movement (pre-dating it slightly) however he seemed to prefer canvas work and his painting has been likened to that of Rufino Tamayo. I see Paul Klee as an influence as well. He focused on Mexican landscapes and themes, indigneous motifs, people and culture...fusing these with European Modernism.
He was also an educator, establishing a dance school where his daughter, Ana, studied. He designed sets and costumes for many productions and even taught fresco painting in the US. His work is thought to be instrumental in the development of Abstract art in Mexico. Merida exhibited extensively in the US, Mexico and his home country of Guatamala.
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