Arte y Amistad: Arthur Lopez

Arthur López
(b. 1971)
San Acacio, 2003
A former graphic artist for department store catalogs, Arthur López has taken the Santa Fe art scene by storm since making his first bulto almost five years ago. His sculptures encompass subject matter ranging from traditional iconography that he sells at Spanish Market to cutting edge themes addressing contemporary social issues with sensitivity and artistry. All of his creations have one thing in common-each has a twist. A thorough researcher, López has been studying colonial santos in museum collections as well as the stories and lives of the saints.

The Nuestra Señora del Carmen featured in Arte y Amistad is one of López's favorite pieces. This Marian representation is said to help those who wear her scapular by keeping them from spending eternal damnation in purgatory. It took López approximately two months to create the piece--one month to carve the clouds alone. Upon completion of this extraordinary effort, he vowed never "to attempt those clouds again."

Thus far, his brief career has garnered López a number of awards and recognition. His works have been acquired by major institutions including the Albuquerque Museum and the Museum of International Folk Art, as well as by important private collectors. His first solo exhibition at the Parks Gallery in May 2003 was sold out.

López says his mother used to collect car-shaped Avon bottles for him at garage sales when he was little. Although he still goes to garage and estate sales, López now enjoys adding to his rapidly growing art collection.

San Acacio
Arthur López
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2003
jelutong, pine, gessoed fabric and naural pigments.

More websites about this artist:

http://www.parksgallery.com/

http://www.spanishmarket.org/awards

Selections from the Diane & Sandy Besser Collection of Contemporary Hispanic Art