Elizam Escobar’s vigil will be public

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The wake of the painter and poet, Elizam Escobar Ortiz It is on Thursday, January 21 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Casa de los Contrafuertes, Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan.

The information from the funeral was confirmed today by a statement from his partner Yolanda Guerrios.

In accordance with a permit issued for the celebration of the wake, it is necessary to follow all protocols for compliance with the strict measures to prevent COVID-19“, read the writing.

The Puerto Rican artist and former inmate died on January 15 at the age of 71, following health complications, according to publications by friends and colleagues on social networks.

In early 2016, Escobar was diagnosed with cancer in the paranasal area and in the nasal cavity, after which he underwent surgery.

Escobar stood out in the field of art as a painter, poet and art teacher. Politically, he was a tireless advocate for Puerto Rico’s independence. His life was a constant struggle through demands for justice for society.

He was a member of a Puerto Rican underground movement that fought for Puerto Rico’s independence. Escobar was sentenced to imprisonment by the US government in 1980, charged with seditious conspiracy. He was imprisoned for 19 years and was released in 1999.

In an interview published in El Nuevo Día in 2016, he reiterated that he has never regretted the fight for the country’s independence.

  • Escobar opposed the use of art as political propaganda and was in favor of artistic autonomy. (2018)

    Escobar opposed the use of art as political propaganda and was in favor of artistic autonomy. (2018) (Archive)

  • His paintings have been exhibited in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. (2016)

    His paintings have been exhibited in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. (2016) (LUIS ALCALA DEL OLMO)

  • Mural in honor of Elizam Escobar exhibited at “La Campechada” in 2016. (LUIS ALCALA DEL OLMO)

  • During his last years, the artist was dean of the painting department of the School of Plastic Arts of Puerto Rico. Pictured, with Antonio Martorell and Ivonne Maria Marcial. (2014)

    During his last years, the artist was dean of the painting department of the School of Plastic Arts of Puerto Rico. Pictured, with Antonio Martorell and Ivonne Maria Marcial. (2014) (Archive)

  • The artist served a long prison sentence after being found guilty while a member of the FALN. (2013)

    The artist served a long prison sentence after being found guilty while a member of the FALN. (2013) (Archive)

  • In the photo, he is accompanied by Ivelisse Jiménez and Teofilo Torres at the opening ceremony of Cine MAPR 2012.

    In the photo, he is joined by Ivelisse Jiménez and Teofilo Torres at the opening ceremony of Cine MAPR 2012. (Archive)

  • Together with the artist Irene Esteves at the opening of the “Líricas” exhibition at the Ángel Ramos Foundation in 2013. (Archive)

  • Escobar was known as a Puerto Rican art theorist, poet, visual artist and writer. The statue, from 2007, was taken during Galería Petrus's 40th birthday with former governor Sila Calderón and Sylvia Villafañe.

    Escobar was known as a Puerto Rican art theorist, poet, visual artist and writer. The statue, from 2007, was taken during Galería Petrus’s 40th birthday with former governor Sila Calderón and Sylvia Villafañe. (Archive)

  • Born in Ponce as a child, he always loved to draw and paint. After graduating from high school, he enrolled and attended the University of Puerto Rico to continue his artistic studies. (2010)

    Born in Ponce as a child, he always loved to draw and paint. After graduating from high school, he enrolled and attended the University of Puerto Rico to continue his artistic studies. (2010) (Archive)

  • In 2016, “La Campechada”, a celebration in honor of José Campeche, an 18th-century Puerto Rican painter, considered one of the most important painters of his time, was dedicated to Elizam Escobar. (Archive)

‘No, I don’t regret it. On the contrary, it could do better. But of course every historical moment has its question. In another forum they asked me if I would do it again and what I said is that I believe that every historical era has its contradictions and its demands. The moment I took part in the clandestine armed struggle, it was important, significant and necessary to me because there was a right wing movement that was killing independentists, workers, burning newspapers … And here we have always had an armed struggle since the Indians so far. But when I arrived in Puerto Rico for example (in 1999) the main fight against the navy was in Vieques and the fight was peaceful resistance. And we respected and defended that kind of struggle. But at any time, if there is another need, because you have to be creative, ‘he said at the time.

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