Beatriz González, a Colombian artist who transformed an abandoned columbarium into a haunting memorial to the victims of Colombia's near century-long period of political violence and drugs wars, has passed away at 93.
In 2009, González, an artist known for her appropriation of imagery from mass media, turned the crumbling mausoleum in Bogotá's Central Cemetery into Auras Anónimas (Anonymous Auras), a series of silkscreened motifs on eight tombstones featuring two figures hauling a body between them. The project was a poignant response to the country's history of bloodshed and social injustice.
Born in Bucaramanga, González studied architecture before transitioning to art, graduating from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá in 1962. Her work took on a more overtly political tone in the 1980s, particularly following the siege at the Palace of Justice in 1985.
In her oeuvre, González explored themes of power and conflict, often using imagery from mass media to convey her message. Works such as Señor Presidente, Qué Honor Estar Con Usted en Este Momento Histórico (1987), based on a press photograph of the then-president, demonstrate her ability to transform visual narratives into powerful statements.
Throughout her career, González received numerous accolades, including retrospectives at prominent museums like the Reina Sofía in Madrid and the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Her work has been included in notable exhibitions such as the Berlin biennale and The World Goes Pop at Tate Modern in 2015.
In 2009, González, an artist known for her appropriation of imagery from mass media, turned the crumbling mausoleum in Bogotá's Central Cemetery into Auras Anónimas (Anonymous Auras), a series of silkscreened motifs on eight tombstones featuring two figures hauling a body between them. The project was a poignant response to the country's history of bloodshed and social injustice.
Born in Bucaramanga, González studied architecture before transitioning to art, graduating from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá in 1962. Her work took on a more overtly political tone in the 1980s, particularly following the siege at the Palace of Justice in 1985.
In her oeuvre, González explored themes of power and conflict, often using imagery from mass media to convey her message. Works such as Señor Presidente, Qué Honor Estar Con Usted en Este Momento Histórico (1987), based on a press photograph of the then-president, demonstrate her ability to transform visual narratives into powerful statements.
Throughout her career, González received numerous accolades, including retrospectives at prominent museums like the Reina Sofía in Madrid and the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Her work has been included in notable exhibitions such as the Berlin biennale and The World Goes Pop at Tate Modern in 2015.
, it's a shame she won't be able to see her iconic memorial Auras Anónimas get the recognition it deserves #artforchange # Colombia #memoryandlegacy. at 93, she left behind an incredible body of work that continues to speak to us today #GonzálezLegacy # silencedvoices matter 
. Reminds me of that one park in Bogotá where they've got these surreal street art installations made from old hospital equipment... anyway, I was reading about González's life and realized she was only 93? feels like just yesterday she was still making waves with her art 
Beatriz González's passing is a tremendous loss to the art world... her Auras Anónimas installation was more than just a haunting memorial, it was a scathing critique of Colombia's dark history 
she was only 93 but her legacy is going to live on forever 
i feel so bad for Colombia that they had to go through all that trauma and bloodshed but at the same time, her art is like a powerful reminder of how far they've come 
i mean, can you even imagine transforming an abandoned columbarium into this haunting memorial? 
did u know she studied architecture first tho? 
I'm so sad to hear about Beatriz González passing away, but what a legendary artist she was! 
I mean, can you even imagine someone transforming an abandoned columbarium into this haunting memorial? 
Just found out about Beatriz González's passing at 93 
. She was a truly talented artist who used her work to shed light on Colombia's dark past 
. Her project Auras Anónimas is still giving me chills today 
. I love how she took something as morbid as an abandoned columbarium and turned it into a powerful statement about the country's history of violence 
. Anyway, I'm gonna miss seeing more of her work on display 
. RIP Beatriz 
just heard about Beatriz González, I'm so saddened by her passing 
she was an incredible artist who used her medium to speak truth to power 
️ I loved how she took the imagery from mass media and turned it into powerful statements on social injustice 
Auras Anónimas is such a hauntingly beautiful project, it's like she captured the very essence of Colombia's dark past 
still can't believe she passed away at 93... feels like just yesterday I was reading about her work in art magazines 
anyway, I'm so grateful for her legacy and the impact she had on the art world 
. the way she took imagery from mass media & made them into powerful statements about power & conflict is pure genius 
I don't think Beatriz González was born in Bucaramanga, that's not correct 
I found she actually studied architecture before transitioning to art at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá in 1962, so it's more likely she's from there.
. What really gets me is that her art wasn't just for Colombia, it was for everyone who's ever struggled with social injustice 
. Rest in peace, Beatriz, your legacy will live on through your incredible work