On March 10, 2025, the art world mourned the sudden death of Carlos Blas Galindo Mendoza, a distinguished Mexican art critic, researcher, and curator. His passing at the age of 70 was confirmed by his former partner, Erika Rascón, following his disappearance reported on March 8. Galindo's unexpected death has sent shockwaves throughout the cultural community and has left behind questions and memories of his vast contributions to the field of art.
Born in Mexico City on February 14, 1955, Carlos Blas Galindo was not just known for his insightful critiques but also as the son of the celebrated composer Blas Galindo, which gave him early exposure to the arts. His career was marked by significant achievements; he served as the director of the Centro Nacional de Investigación, Documentación e Información de Artes Plásticas (Cenidiap) from 2004 to 2012 and became a member of the Academia de Artes in 2007, cementing his place as one of the prominent figures in Mexican contemporary art.
His family reported him missing after losing contact on the afternoon of March 8, and efforts to locate him intensified, with friends and relatives searching his usual haunts across the city's Coyoacán and Iztapalapa districts. Sadly, these efforts did not yield the outcome they had hoped for. Erika Rascón, announcing his passing with deep sorrow on her Facebook profile, expressed gratitude for the support she had received during the search. She stated, “Agradecemos infinitamente todo el apoyo para encontrar a nuestro amado Carlos Blas Galindo Mendoza. Ha sido muy reconfortante saber todo el cariño que hemos recibido hoy y siempre. Con profundo penar les comunico que mi amado Carlos Blas ha fallecido. Nos tomamos un espacio a partir de este momento y les mantendremos en comunicación para los protocolos conducentes.”
His academic and artistic legacy is extensive. Galindo authored several notable books, including the 1992 title 'Enrique Guzmán. Transformador y víctima de su tiempo' and the 2007 publication 'Reynaldo Velásquez. Penilunio.' He was involved with over 100 collective exhibitions throughout his career and had his works displayed across prestigious collections such as the Museo Nacional de la Estampa and the Museo de Arte Moderno. His work was not only recognized nationally but also had international resonance.
The cultural community has expressed its grief and admiration for Galindo’s work. The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL) and the Centro Nacional de las Artes (Cenart) both released statements reflecting on his wide-reaching influence and commitment to art criticism. INBAL highlighted Galindo’s extensive accomplishments, noting, “His dedication to the education of new generations and his extensive body of work have marked him as one of the most significant voices of his time.” Meanwhile, the Secretaría de Cultura of Mexico City emphasized the “invaluable legacy” he leaves to the artistic and cultural sectors.
Galindo was known for his thorough and structured approach to art criticism, which he developed as part of his methodology beginning in 1988. This rigorous framework allowed him to distill complex artistic concepts for both academics and enthusiasts alike, creating pathways for the evolution of contemporary art discourse. His legacy lies not only in his writings and critiques but also as an educator who shaped future critics through various seminars and conferences, both locally and across Latin America.
His advocacy for artistic integrity and commitment to the cultural discourse will surely be remembered and studied for generations. Following his death, many are hopeful for the emergence of new research projects and articles exploring Carlos Blas Galindo's methodologies and contributions to the Mexican art scene.
The loss of Carlos Blas Galindo Mendoza is not just felt within his immediate circle of family and friends but ripples through the entire artistic community. His invaluable contributions have left indelible marks on contemporary art criticism, and as the community reflects on his impact, it is clear he will be remembered as one of the giants of his field.