Costa Rica Art - if we were to base our judgment entirely on historical facts we could easily conclude that Costa Rica is not, technically speaking, particularly rich in indigenous art and craft, unlike many of its neighboring countries. Its tiny, diverse, Pre-Columbian population had no real cultural legacy, which the new generation maybe reprimanded or inspired into continuing. In recent times too the Tico habit of praising the utterly mediocre has caused any possibility of a refined sense of aestheticism from surfacing. As a result nothing called the Art of Costa Rica really existed till a few decades back.Â

However, that is not to say that this utter lack of creativity is going unnoticed. It isn't like new horizons of possibility aren't emerging. A number of contemporary artists have managed to ward of the old inhibitions and come forward with their personal creations. Costa Rica is making progress not just in Visual Arts but also in the field of Performing Arts. The National Symphony Orchestra has managed to create a yardstick for other musical troupes. New music is being made, new theatre is being performed, the Tico's have been enjoying what they term as their 'cultural revolution' for the past few decades.

Southwest of the capital city of San Jose lies Santa Ana and Escazu, both home to various contemporary artists. Among those who reside here are, Christina Fournier; the brothers Jorge, Manuel, Javier, and Carlos Mena; and Dinorah Bolandi etc. In the 1920's Costa Rica discovered her very first distinct style of art through the hands of Teodorico Quiros who led the revolutionary 'Costa Rican landscape movement'. This movement brought in the forefront stylized representations of the somnolent mountain towns, complete with their pebbled streets and the volcanoes angrily smothering in the background; all essentially, and distinctly Costa Rican in character. Costa Rica received a new face in the hands of these artists who aptly named themselves the Group of New Sensibility.    Â

It was during this same period that the legendary Costa Rican sculptor Francisco Zuñigo sculpted the famous stone image named Maternity, which now stands in front of the Maternidad carit maternity Clinic. It is rumored that the sculptor left for Mexico when local art critics blasted the same creation.

By 1950 the new, emerging generation of artists began scorning at their predecessors. They brought with themselves a new age of abstract expression. Currently Costa Rican artists are making a great headway at the international markets creating art that is strongly rooted in their tradition but yet utterly global.Â

From Leonel Gonzalez, who is fond of producing black silhouette like figures against resplendat backgrounds to Roberto Lizano, whose creations personify the unthinkable mixture of Picasso and Delacroix, the current Costa Rican art scene is varied and rich. It wont be long before the present makes up for the deficiencies in the past.

To hasten the process the Ministry of Culture organizes regular art lessons and exhibitions at various city parks. Apart from this gallant endeavor of course there are various attempts made by city art galleries such as the University art gallery, the Museo de Arte Costarricense and others to promote Costa Rica art further so that it can be easily embraced by the common masses. Â Â
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