Art gives meaning to my humanity, art is me, my memory, my memories, my yearnings, my divinity... in it I find my meaning.
–Francisco Correa
Francisco was a Colombian artist whose work draws heavily from the landscapes, people, and stories of his childhood and adulthood in Antioquia, Colombia. His art, often described as a masterful fusion of Cubism, Constructivism, and Primitivism, captures the essence of everyday life in Medellín, with scenes such as couples or friends sharing coffee. Correa's paintings are filled with personal symbolism—horses representing his father and grandfather, tables embodying his mother, and female figures as tributes to women. His pieces invite both reflection and admiration, creating visual narratives rooted in the complexity of his experiences.
Despite growing up amidst the turmoil of Colombia's armed conflict and drug trafficking, Correa found solace in art, first as a college student studying architecture and later in his self-imposed isolation in La Ceja, where he dedicated himself fully to his work. His intention was always to create rather than seek fame, and he avoided the traditional routes of exhibitions and fairs, even declining opportunities to collaborate with European galleries. For many years, he remained one of Latin America's best-kept secrets.
In 2020, Correa’s extraordinary talent gained international recognition when HECTOR DIAZ Gallery became his exclusive global representative. His first solo exhibition, The best kept secret, was held in 2021, followed by a second exhibition, Mysterious charm, in 2023. Correa’s work has also been featured in prominent group exhibitions such as The Mona Lisa Project and Ineffable. Despite avoiding the conventional paths to fame during his lifetime, his work is now making waves in the international art scene.
His entry into the global market was further reinforced through auctions at Morton Subastas, Latin America’s leading auction house. In 2022, his pieces reached high estimates of up to $19,000, underscoring the growing recognition and value of his work.
Though Correa passed away just before his work was first auctioned internationally, his legacy continues to grow. Collectors around the world now admire his art. In 2021, the Mexican newspaper El Economista described him as "The best kept secret in Latin America." While his life was cut short, his artistic presence remains strong, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate.
Rest in peace, Maestro Francisco Correa, your legacy is just beginning.
–Héctor Díaz
