Mérida Painter and Writer Enrique Trava Díaz Dies at 69

Enrique de Jesús Trava Díaz, a painter and writer known for his contributions to the Yucatán art scene, died suddenly on Jan. 23 in Mérida. He was 69.

Born Dec. 7, 1956, Trava Díaz came from a prominent local family and spent decades creating artwork that was exhibited across Mexico and abroad. His paintings hung in shows from Florence to New York to Chile, though he remained deeply connected to Mérida throughout his career.

For years, Trava Díaz donated his work to the annual “El Arte por la Educación” auction, organized by Impulso Universitario. The nonprofit has raised funds through art sales since 2005 to provide scholarships for Yucatecan university students. The program now supports 286 students across four locations in the state, offering both financial assistance and comprehensive training to help young people become what the organization calls “agents of change” in their communities.

The auction has become one of Mérida’s most important charitable art events. Last year’s edition featured more than 100 artists who donated 122 works. The initiative was founded by the late Padre Jorge Laviada Molina, who believed art and education together could address social inequality.

Trava Díaz exhibited at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán in 2006, where he presented “Imaginario,” a collection that reflected his experimental approach to painting. His work also appeared at galleries in Monterrey and he participated in the seventh edition of the Bienal Nacional de Arte Contemporáneo in Florence in 2009.

Beyond painting, he wrote six books, though titles and publication details remain unclear. In 2008, he received the Premio Nacional Benito Juárez García for civic merit.

His online portfolio reveals an artist drawn to bold colors and conceptual themes. Paintings with titles such as “Astro Waits” and “Oil and Water” showcase his interest in abstract and pop art. Many pieces explore themes of passion, nostalgia and nature through vivid acrylics.

The artist’s work found homes in private collections, and his participation in Mérida’s growing contemporary art scene connected him to a community of painters, sculptors and visual artists who have helped transform the city into a regional cultural hub.

Mérida has seen an expansion of its arts community in recent years, with galleries, artist studios and cultural spaces multiplying across neighborhoods from Centro to Itzimná. Events like the Mérida English Library Artist Studio Tour have drawn attention to both established and emerging talents working in the city.

Trava Díaz is survived by his son, Enrique Trava Griffin; daughter-in-law, María José Mendoza Herrera; sisters, María José, Lourdes, and Verónica; brother-in-law, Juan de Dios Chávez Baeza; and granddaughters, Julieta and María Trava Mendoza.

A memorial mass will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at Iglesia de María Inmaculada in the Campestre neighborhood. His ashes will be placed in a crypt at the Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Colonia Chuminópolis.

About Impulso Universitario

• Founded: 1999
• Current beneficiaries: 286 students
• Locations: Mérida, Valladolid, Tizimín, Oxkutzcab
• “El Arte por la Educación” auction: Celebrating 20 years in 2025
• Total graduates since inception: More than 1,100