Ernesto Cabral, Mexico

Ernesto Garcia Cabral also known as "Chango', was born in Huatusco, Veracruz Mexico in 1890. Cabral was 17 when he first won an scholarship to the San Carlos Art Academy. By 1910 he was drawing for popular publications and two years later received a grant to study art in Paris.

Cabral returned to Mexico in 1918 where he established himself as a top caricaturist. His work often appeared on the covers of magazines such as the weekly "Revista de Revistas".

As with many artists, his commercial work was rarely signed on any advertising posters. Cabral also painted murals, one of which can be found in Toluca, Mexico. Cabral died in 1968.

I really like his style and authentic Mexican vibe. The expressive faces on his characters are utterly mesmerising and draw you in completely. More often than not his designs feature several figures and an interesting piece of text that is usually positioned in a strategic manner so as not to obscure his illustrations. I would definitely choose Cabral as the artist from Mexico that best defines the country's style. Most probably because of his use of colour, and after all Mexican culture is very colourful to say the least.