Rafael Angel Fernández Piedra, best known as Rafa Fernández once dreamed of being a bullfighter or maybe a singer, but it was the artist in him that took over, Costa Ricans were lucky to enjoy his talent, the one captured in his paintings for many decades and until this Sunday, September 9, when he passed away at age 82.
Costa Rica mourns the death of Fernández, one of the most renown artists the country has had, not even the health problems he suffered late in his life stood on the way of his art.

His first steps in art where in the House of the Artist where he was taught by some of Costa Rica’s best. His work has been in exhibit in Colombia, Spain, New York, USA, France and Italy and it features mainly female figures.

Rafa Fernandez won three times the National Award Aquileo J. Echeverría in Visual Arts (1968-1972-1975), he also received the Santiago Award in Spain (1985) and the Magón award, maximum cultural recognition in Costa Rica, in 2002.

He is considered one of the most important exponents in the history of Costa Rican art.

“One of the most prominent artists of our county leaves us today, Mr. Rafa Fernádez. He will live forever in his works and the history of our country will remember him. My most sincere condolences to his loved ones”, expressed President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado through social media.

“In his prolific career, his conceptual and graphic searches shaped a profoundly personal form of art, which because of its symbolic dimension and visual harmony acquired universal value. His work, extensive and complex, is an oneiric exploration of reality, of exquisite expressiveness”, commented the Minister of Culture, Sylvie Durán.

“His artistic legacy will be the best gift to humanity, art never dies. Rest in Peace Rafa Fernández!”, wrote Costa Rican Artist Isidro Con Wong.

Our condolences at The Costa Rica Star go out to his family and friends.