Astrid Liliana Angulo, National Museum Director, Dies at 52 After Cancer Battle
- Astrid Liliana Angulo Cortés, the director of Colombia’s Museo Nacional (National Museum), has died at the age of 52, her family announced on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
- According to a statement released by her family, Angulo Cortés passed away after a long and courageous battle with illness, surrounded by loved ones.
- Angulo Cortés assumed leadership of the Museo Nacional in 2024, and had been fighting a battle with lymphatic cancer during her time as director.
Astrid Liliana Angulo Cortés, the director of Colombia’s Museo Nacional (National Museum), has died at the age of 52, her family announced on Saturday, . The news marks a significant loss for the Colombian art world, cutting short the tenure of a leader widely recognized for her vision and commitment to Afro-Colombian representation.
According to a statement released by her family, Angulo Cortés passed away after a long and courageous battle with illness, surrounded by loved ones. “After a long, brave and deeply supported process, her body decided to rest. She left peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family and sustained by the immense network of affection, prayers and good energy that you always sent her,” the statement read. The family described her passing not as an absence, but as a “transition,” emphasizing her spiritual outlook and connection to her ancestors.
Angulo Cortés assumed leadership of the Museo Nacional in , and had been fighting a battle with lymphatic cancer during her time as director. Her career spanned roles as an artist, professor, and advocate for Afro-Colombian art, and memory. Prior to leading the Museo Nacional, she held positions at the Instituto Distrital de las Artes (Idartes) and the Secretariat of Culture of Bogotá, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to cultural administration and artistic development within the city.
Born in Bogotá in , Angulo Cortés’s artistic journey began with a desire for freedom. “What I did have clear was that art was part of a life process, it wasn’t about getting a degree and that’s it,” she stated in a interview with El Tiempo. She specialized in sculpture at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a Master’s in Anthropology from the Universidad de Los Andes.
Her artistic practice centered on exploring representations of Black women in contemporary culture, utilizing themes of gender, race, and identity. Angulo Cortés’s work often involved photography, sculpture, and performance, and was deeply rooted in research into Afro-descendant narratives, memory, and representation. She consistently questioned established narratives within the art world, bringing a critical perspective to the history of art and cultural management in Bogotá.
In , Angulo Cortés founded Agua Turbia, an artist collective dedicated to Afro-Colombian artists. This initiative underscored her commitment to fostering a space for marginalized voices and promoting the work of artists from the Afro-Colombian community. Her dedication to this community extended beyond her artistic endeavors, as she actively worked to preserve and promote Afro-Colombian memory and artistic traditions.
Prior to her role at the Museo Nacional, Angulo Cortés served as Secretary of Culture, Recreation and Sports for the city of Bogotá in . This position allowed her to implement cultural policies and initiatives that reflected her values and commitment to inclusivity.
The family’s statement highlighted the qualities they will most cherish: “We are left with the nostalgia of her laughter, her pragmatism, her tenderness and her strength. And at the same time, the certainty that her energy remains expanded, accompanying us with the same light with which she transformed gazes and hearts.” They also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support received during her illness, describing the messages, prayers, and gestures of kindness as “medicine and real company” throughout the journey.
Details regarding the funeral arrangements will be shared by the family in the coming hours, allowing those who wish to pay their respects to join in a “ritual of farewell and gratitude.” Angulo Cortés’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire artists, cultural leaders, and advocates for social justice in Colombia and beyond.
Her passing represents a loss not only for the Colombian art community, but for anyone invested in a more inclusive and representative cultural landscape. Angulo Cortés’s work and leadership demonstrated the power of art to challenge norms, amplify marginalized voices, and build bridges between communities.