“Art is food for the soul”
Fernando Llort
Today’s post is on El Salvador’s most famous artist: Fernando Llort.
Fernando Llort was born on April 7, 1949, and he is known as “El Salvador’s National Artist” by the Foundation for Self Sufficiency in Central America. His art is very colorful, two-dimensional and simple. After graduating from high school and obtaining a degree from the University of El Salvador he studied abroad in France, Belgium and in the United States.
He returned to El Salvador however, due to the unstable political and social climate, he moved to a town north of the country to La Palma, Chalatenango.
He believed that we can build our own history and tomorrow’s civilization through art and culture. Together with other artists, an artisanal movement began. This movement taught the citizens of La Palma on how to make a living through art and has made a positive impact on the community’s economy. His designs can be found on different types of handicrafts such as ceramic, wood, textile, and leather. He also founded a nonprofit organization to promote art and culture “Fundación Fernando Llort.”
Although Llort passed away on August 10, 2018, his legacy lives on in the community of La Palma renowned for its native artists and handicraft artisans.
Visitors can also see his artwork at El Arbol de Dios an art gallery located in San Salvador. The gallery also offers workshops on the handicrafts. You can read more about it here.
Art lesson activity
We learned about his legacy and the work he did with this simple and easy art lesson. This is a great activity to do in the classroom or homeschool.
You can get a free Fernando Llort coloring book by signing up for the newsletter on his website: Fernando Llort I downloaded his coloring book and printed the coloring page “Ave Mágica.” For the activity, I provided the kids with pencils, bright color markers, and white poster boards. I drew “Ave Mágica” on a large poster board, and had the kids follow along with me. I also drew inside the bird some of the most common images found on the drawing. I allowed the kids to be creative to draw and color how they pleased.
The drawings came out very pretty and colorful!
I am so happy to have come across your post on Pinterest. I was looking for something new to teach Hispanic Heritage Month in Art class, and this will be perfect!