For his inventiveness and social criticism in his work that preserves the cultural and artistic identity of Oaxaca and Mexico, Darío Castillejos will receive the La Catrina 2024 Caricature Tribute awarded by the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) and the University Art Center , Architecture and Design (CUAAD).
In addition to the dedication that exists in his work, his contributions to our country stand out in the fields of journalism and communication on issues of social awareness, politics and discrimination. This tribute will take place on Saturday, December 7, at the Juan Rulfo Auditorium.
Francisco Javier González Madariaga, rector of CUAAD, and Eduardo Galindo Flores, head of the Communication Projects Department of this university center, highlighted that the technique of “honoring is of a unique exquisiteness that you will be able to attest to.”
González Madariaga referred to Darío Castillejos as the “heir to a legacy of the old school of engraving that masters like Francisco Toledo have forged long ago.”
Darío Castillejos (Mexico, 1974), through a link, said he felt honored to receive this tribute and to be part of “the line of legendary personalities in caricature and humor” who have received this recognition and of whom, he said, “of course I have school and influence. I had the opportunity to meet several of the winners, and it is an honor to be in that line of great cartoonists whom I love and admire so much,” he stressed.
Castillejos defines his work as critical and full of political humor, which, in his own words, is essential to create a social counterweight to power.
“The cartoon is for the masses. We cartoonists are in charge of giving a voice to those who do not have one; We seek to interpret their messages and create something new and forceful. The editorial caricature is necessary because the reality is overwhelming,” he mentioned remotely.
Castillejos said he felt “excited and proud”, since this recognition has been given to cartoon greats such as Trino Camacho in 2022 and Joaquín Salvador Lavado, “Quino”, in 2003.
“I continue to be amazed at being the winning team. For my career, having this recognition is very important and satisfying,” he declared.
Regarding current times and the creation of the political cartoon, he mentioned that politics has “involved” and that politicians increasingly look more like caricatures, which creates a more criticizable environment.
Regarding censorship, Castillejos said that things have changed over time, and that what was previously unthinkable to capture is now much easier for the audience to digest.
“Before, it was forbidden to talk about the president, the army and the Virgin of Guadalupe; The pioneers in caricature paved the way for us and fought against repression so that now we can create without fear; However, now there are other issues that are difficult to address, such as organized crime,” he stressed.
Darío Castillejos is president of Cartonclub, “The Latin Caricature Club”; newspaper contributor The Impartial from Oaxaca, the magazine Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica and the weekly The Chamuco. He has been the recipient of various national recognitions such as the Benito Juárez García State Journalism and Information Awards, the José Pagés Llergo National Journalism Award, the Gilberto Rincón Gallardo National Faces of Discrimination Award, and the Grand Prix, among others. His work has been published in newspapers such as Le Monde, La Temps, The Nation and The New York Times, as well as in the agencies Cagle Cartoons, Cartonclub, Courrier International, Cartoon Movement and Cartooning for Peace.
About the award
The La Catrina Caricature Tribute is a recognition granted by the FIL Guadalajara and the CUAAD to outstanding caricaturists and graphic artists. Established in 2002, this tribute is inspired by the figure of La Catrina, created by Mexican engraver José Guadalupe Posada, an iconic symbol of Mexican culture and its relationship with death.
The tribute highlights the trajectory and impact of the artists on society, especially for their contribution to political criticism, social reflection and humor in print and digital media. Adriana Mosquera Soto, NaniGabriel Vargas, Eduardo del Río, laughsJoaquín Salvador Lavado, CinchonaSergio Aragonés, José Trinidad Camacho, Trino, or Juan Matías Loiseau, Tuteare some of those who have been honored.
