Jorge Santos Díaz

A significant majority of artists love their homeland with a metaphorical sense of reality. In that conglomerate is inserted Jorge Santos Díaz (Camagüey, 1922-1996), who, with good reason, has been called the painter of Camagüey.

Jorge Santos Díaz graduated as a professor of painting and drawing from the Provincial School of Plastic Arts "José Martí" in the city of Camagüey, and held more than 150 personal and collective exhibitions both in Cuba and in other countries.

For that constant dedication to authentic art, without hints of vulgarity, but without the cosmetics of vanity or false modesty, Santos Díaz received throughout a fruitful career awards and different medals, as well as recognition from governmental and cultural institutions of the country and his city.

In his paintings, the most varied techniques are used, oil on canvas, drawings, watercolors, etc., which reflect his yearning for the former princely town, the landscapes of the surroundings, and the people, known or anonymous, who always inspired his creation.

In the work of the Camagüey painter, one appreciates the harmonious treatment in each piece, a careful use of color, as well as texture, chiaroscuro and perspectives that stand out in each of them.

Regarding his commitment to his city, Santos Díaz stated: "I think I owe it a series that could well be dedicated to its typical characters or to the daily work of my fellow citizens... Camagüey needs to be cared for more so that it endures."

Fate willed that his work would stop on September 12, 1996, when his brush, moved by the most intimate feelings of the human being, still had thousands of concerns to capture.

However, his fellow countrymen treasure, scattered through the winding streets of the city of Camagüey, the main center of his creative sensibility, his works, a way for the multiple readings that could be made about the fascinating spell that the locals feel for their old "land of shepherds and hats".