Jorge de León (performance artist)

Jorge de León (born 1976) is a Guatemalan performance artist who specializes in body art. He was born in Guatemala City, and forms part of the generation of artists that includes Regina José Galindo. He was in and out of jail twelve times, and looked to art as a means of confronting the gang violence rampant in Guatemala.^[1]

Artwork

De León’s work centers on urban violence in Guatemala City, which is influenced by his former involvement in gangs. De León has commented that the rich live by double standards, “they are thieves, but they kill us saying we are thieves... At least gang members are honest. If (they) rob, they say it. If they take drugs they say it.”^[2]

Notes

1. Estey, Myles. "A generation of young artists is gaining recognition for their gritty depictions of the modern realities of the Central American nation." Global Post. 15 Aug 2011. Retrieved 11 Feb 2012.
2. Diane De Cesare, Interview

References

• Pagina de Literatura Guatemalteca
• Leyva, Gabriel: “Una mirada crítica ante la discriminación de los pueblos latinoamericanos”. CONACULTA, Sala de Prensa, septiembre 6, 2001.
• Leyva, Gabriel: “La marginalidad y el rezago social en América Latina, tema de la muestra interdisciplinaria Syo/Ajeno y Ajeno/Suyo”. CONACULTA, Sala de Prensa, agosto 31, 2001.
• Cazali, Rosina. Pasos a Desnivel: mapa urbano de la cultura contemporanea en Guatemala. HIVOS & laCuranderia. Guatemala City, 2003.