Felix Lopez, SanteroJune 30 - October 21, 2007
Wall text from the exhibition
- Félix López: Master Santero
- (b. 1942, Gilman, CO)
-
- "Being a santero is a calling, a blessing
from God. For me it serves to center my life and my spirituality. Carving
is almost like breathing. If I don't do it every day, something is missing."
-
- Félix López, as quoted in The Oxford Encyclopedia
of Latinos and
- Latinas in the United States (2005)
-
- Born in 1942, Félix López grew up in the
small town of Santa Cruz, NM, where life revolved around religion, family,
and community. Spanish was the language of the community, but this was
an era when speaking Spanish in school was often discouraged. Perhaps in
response to this repression of a part of his heritage, Félix developed
an early interest in the Spanish language and went on to earn a Bachelor's
degree in Spanish and German and a Master's degree in Spanish Literature.
Following a short teaching stint in California, he and his wife, Louise,
moved back to Santa Cruz where Félix spent the next 21 years teaching
at his alma mater, Española Valley High School. "I wanted to
teach the Spanish language to our own kids, most of whom could understand
it and speak it somewhat but did not know how to read or write in Spanish.
I felt that they needed to know more about their own history and culture,
to better understand who they are."
-
- Then, in 1975, the death of his father awakened a different
desire in Félix. His family held the wake service in the local morada,
the meetinghouse of the Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth (los
Penitentes). The loss of his father, the wake in the morada
with traditional prayers and alabados (hymns of praise), and the
historic devotional images that graced the casket, touched López
deeply. It was this experience that led him to express himself creatively.
-
- López began to experiment, first with clay and
then with carving and straw appliqué. In 1976, he entered his first
Spanish Market -- and won 1st Place in straw appliqué. By 1981 he
had won his first award for devotional carving. He joined La Escuelita,
a group of santeros who banded together to meet informally to carve,
talk, and exchange ideas. This kind of camaraderie continues into the present
and is part of Félix's working environment; a born teacher, he is
quick to share his knowledge of methods and techniques and encourages other
artists, his children among them. Becoming involved with carving and straw
appliqué proved to be most helpful in teaching about Hispanic culture
to his students. "As I began to meet other artists working in other
traditional art forms, I would invite them to my classes to talk to my
students about their art. It was a positive learning experience that served
to instill pride in our rich history and culture."
-
- For López, inspiration comes from his everyday
experiences -- what he happens to see or read in a book or magazine, a
visit to a church, museum or gallery, people, nature and from travel. Trips
to Mexico, France, Spain and Italy have given him new perspectives and
ideas for his work. While López bases his santos on traditional
subject matter, he is innovative in his artistic interpretations. He believes
that he remains true to the spirit of the santero tradition. López's
distinctive style comes not only from his skill as a carver, but from his
understanding of human emotion. Every image he carves carries an individual
expression: serene, pensive, compassionate, determined. His figures are
graceful and elongated, and the sometimes exaggerated features, (especially
the hands), relate to the overall concept of the image. He captures the
power of St. Michael the Archangel, the dexterity and strength of St. Joseph
the carpenter and the beauty and grace of the Virgin Mary. His palette
of natural pigments-like the New Mexico landscape-- is both subtle and
wonderfully rich.
-
- López's artistic career took off following the
1987 traveling exhibition, "Hispanic Art in the United States"
organized by the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Included as one of 30 featured
artists, López still receives commissions and calls as a result
of the exhibition. But even after receiving national recognition and being
included in numerous exhibitions and publications, López remains
inextricably tied to New Mexico and to his roots: "Every July, you'll
find me in a Spanish Market booth in Santa Fe," he says, "The
market inspires me to create, and it reminds me that I should never let
myself get too far away from home."
-
-
- Joseph A. López
- (b. 1970, Española, NM)
- Joseph López began making straw appliqué
crosses alongside his father when he was just 7 years old. Now 37, he received
a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico (UNM),
and his life work has been his art, with a short break for a high school
and college athletic career. He oftentimes shares the same workspace with
his father and sister where they create and critique each other's work
and motivate one another. As explained by Joseph, "I think that's
what helps our whole family to excel at our artwork and what keeps us innovative."
-
- Widely traveled, Joseph applies techniques that he has
learned abroad to his artwork, continually expanding his repertoire and
experimenting with new ideas. In 1999, he received an Education Grant from
the Spanish Colonial Arts Society that funded a visit to Mexico where he
learned the historic technique of creating santos of pasta de caña,
a technique widely used in the Michoacán area. With this knowledge,
he created a large bulto of a Monja Coronada (Crowned Nun), based
on Mexican colonial paintings and the Pre-Columbian technique. The image
won the Hispanic Heritage Award in 2000 and was then gifted to the Museum
of Spanish Colonial Art.
-
- In 2004 he traveled to Bolivia where he presented a workshop
as one of the programs for the exhibition Cuando Hablan los Santos organized
by the UNM's Maxwell Museum of Anthropology in Albuquerque. Later he spent
one-and-one-half years in Hawaii, carving Hispanic santos while
also learning the Polynesian Island style of carving. Then came a three-month
stay in Florence, Italy, studying art history and the Italian language.
Most recently Joseph visited Israel, Egypt and Jordan. All of these experiences
have influenced his art, both technically and spiritually. He also teaches
carving periodically at the Santa Fe Community College and finds that being
both a teacher and a student has given him a fuller appreciation for the
work that he is doing as a carver.
-
- Entering Spanish Market as a youth exhibitor, Joseph
now is a regular exhibitor and award-winner among the adults. In 1996,
he won 1st Place in bultos; in 1997, the Vedder Award; in 1998,
2nd Place for his painted bulto of Moises; in 1999, 2nd Place for
bultos en nicho and the Spanish Colonial Arts Society Purchase Award
for his bulto of San Roque; in 2000, the Hispanic Heritage Award
and the Virgin of Guadalupe award; and in 2006, 1st Place for painted bultos
and the E. Boyd Memorial Award.
-
-
- Krissa María López
- (b. 1971, Santa Fe, NM)
-
- Inspired by her father's work, Krissa, like her brother,
was first introduced to the arts through straw appliqué. She enjoyed
working with straw and continued to improve her technique, winning 1st
Place in straw appliqué at Spanish Market in both 1994 and 1995.
She might well have continued her career in straw if it hadn't been for
a year of study at the Instituto de Bellas Artes de la Universidad Autónoma
de Chihuahua in 1994. It was there that she discovered her love for
painting.
-
- At the Instituto, Krissa's painting teacher encouraged
her to paint an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. As she took up the paintbrush,
Krissa wondered why she had not done so earlier, as these images had surrounded
her during her childhood. She loved the medium and quickly adopted it as
her own. A second trip to Mexico in 1996 that included visits to cathedrals
and art museums offered a deeper understanding and appreciation for the
people and their traditions, which she incorporated into her art. Once
back in Santa Fe, Krissa had the good fortune to work with noted Santa
Fe artist Michael Bergt who taught her egg tempera, the medium in which
she now regularly works. She credits him for challenging her to take her
painting skills and techniques to a higher level.
-
- All of Krissa's pieces are motivated by a deep sense
of spirituality and faith. Upon viewing her work, one senses her close
connection with the images that reflect different stages of her life. She
often portrays powerful female figures that give her strength and solace.
Krissa maintains that her father has always taught her and her brother
to honor their traditions and keep them alive through a strong family unit,
education and art. "I strive to maintain the dignity and authenticity
of what was created by my ancestors, not replicating what they did, but
using their work as inspiration for my own creations."
-
- Krissa received a BA in Fine Arts and an MA in Art Education
from the University of New Mexico. Her husband, Daniel Moya, also an accomplished
artist, is a member of Pojoaque Pueblo and Krissa sometimes incorporates
Pueblo imagery and designs into her work. The couple believes that passing
on their respective traditions to their daughters is very important. New
ideas and inspiration also evolved from trips Krissa and Daniel took before
they began to raise a family. Their travels took them to Puerto Rico, Central
and South America, Europe and China.
-
- Krissa and Joseph were among the first youth exhibitors
in Spanish Market in the 1970s and she has participated in Market ever
since. In addition to receiving awards in straw appliqué, she won
the 1997 William Field Design Award; 2nd Place in large retablos
and 3rd Place in small retablos in 2002, and 3rd Place in large
retablos in 2003. Krissa appreciates the excitement and camaraderie
of Spanish Market. "After Market you have such a feeling of accomplishment,
a feeling that you have reached your goal."
Object labels from the exhibition
- Félix López
- Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe / Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Principios de los 1990's / Early 1990's
- Alamillo, pigmentos naturales, paja aplicada/
- Aspen, natural pigments, straw
- Regalo de / Gift of Nancy Reynolds
- MOSCA 1999.039
-
- Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, is typically
- shown as she is here, surrounded by the rays of the sun. López
- evokes her role as a compassionate mother of Jesus by her
- sympathetic and understanding expression. The stars on her cape are
- made of pieces of straw, a medium in which the artist also works.
-
-
- Félix López
- San Ysidro Labrador / St. Isidore the Farmer
- 1998
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano,
- pegamento de piel de conejo, trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, rabbit skin glue, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
- Best of Show, Grand Prize and E.Boyd Memorial Award
- 1998 Spanish Market.
-
-
- Félix López
- Cruz con Paja Aplicada / Straw Cross
- 1977
- Pino, paja, pigmento negro/ Pine, straw, black pigment
- MOSCA 1977.6
-
-
- Félix López
- Cruz con Paja Aplicada / Straw Cross
- 1976
- Pino, paja, pigmento negro / Pine, straw, black pigment
- Legado de / Bequest of Ann and Alan Vedder
- MOSCA 1990.247
-
- This cross dates to the first year that López began working
as an artist.
-
-
- Félix López
- Cruz con Paja Aplicada / Straw Cross
- 1984
- Pino, paja, pigmento negro / Pine, straw, black pigment
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Félix López
- San Miguel / St. Michael
- 1995
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- pegamento de piel de conejo, trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments,
- rabbit skin glue, piñon sap varnish
- Donación de / Gift of Margot and Robert Linton al
- Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico, DCA
-
-
- Félix López
- San José el Artesano y el Niño Jesús / St.
Joseph the Carpenter and the Christ Child
- 2000
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- pegamento de piel de conejo, trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments,
- rabbit skin glue, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Chester Gougis and Shelley Ocahab
-
- First Place painted bultos and People's Choice Award
- 2001 Spanish Market.
-
-
- Félix López
- La Piedad / Pieta
- 1997
- Pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- pegamento de piel de conejo, trementina de piñón/
- Pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments,
- rabbit skin glue, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Lillian López Tafoya
- Santa Cruz, NM and Bakersfield, CA
-
-
- Félix López
- Mi Hijo, Abre tu Corazón / My Son, Open your Heart
- 2004
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Félix López
- La Humanidad/ Humanity
- 1991
- Alamillo y nogal/ Aspen and walnut
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Félix López
- La Humanidad / Humanity
- 1991
- Bronce/ Bronze
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Félix López
- Bailando con la Muerte / Dancing with Death
- 1984
- Cedro, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales, trementina de
piñón/
- Cedar, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Félix López
- Nuestra Señora de Dolores / Our Lady of Sorrows
- 1996
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Judith Espinar
-
-
- Félix López
- La Reina del Cielo / Queen of Heaven
- 1996
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Holloway
-
-
- Félix López
- La Virgen María y el Niño Jesús/ The Virgin
Mary and Christ Child
- 2005
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments, piñon sap barnish
- Colección Particular/ Private Collection
-
-
- Krissa López
- Nuestra Señora de Dolores / Our Lady of Sorrows
- 1996
- Madera, témpera de huevo / Wood, egg tempera
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Félix López
- San Rafael Arcángel / St. Raphael Archangel
- 1994
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, homemade gesso, natural pigments, piñon sap varnish
- Colección Particular / Private collection
-
-
- Félix López
- El Mensajero / The Messenger
- En Memoria de mi Madrecita, Eva Rodríguez López (7/26/08-2/29/04)
- (In Memory of my Mother, Eva Rodríguez López (7/26/08-2/29/04))
- 2004
- Litografía / Lithograph
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Joseph López
- Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe / Our Lady of Guadalupe
- 2001
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- hoja de oro, trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, natural hide glue, homemade gesso,
- natural pigments, gold leaf, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
-
- Joseph López
- Santa Cecilia / St. Cecilia
- 2005
- Alamillo, pino, yeso hecho a mano, pigmentos naturales,
- hoja de oro, trementina de piñón/
- Aspen, pine, natural hide glue, homemade gesso,
- natural pigments, gold leaf, piñon sap varnish
- Colección de / Collection of Félix y Louise López
-
- Florence Dibell Bartlett Award for Design
- 2006 Spanish Market
-
-
- Joseph López
- Monja Coronada / Crowned Nun
- 2000
- Pasta de caña, Madera, yeso, pigmento, hoja de oro /
- Cane paste, wood, gesso, paint, gold leaf
- Donación de / Gift of Balbino y Flora Fernández
- MOSCA 2000.66
-
- Hispanic Heritage Award for In-Depth Research
- 2000 Spanish Market.
-
-
- Joseph López
- Cruz con Paja Aplicada / Straw Cross
- 1983
- Pino, paja, pigmento rojo/ Pine, straw, red pigment
- Legado de / Bequest of Ann and Alan Vedder
- MOSCA 1990.249
-
-
- Krissa López
- Nuestra Señora de Dolores / Our Lady of Sorrows
- 1996
- Témpera de huevo / Egg tempera
- Colección de / Collection of Krissa López-Moya and Daniel
Moya
-
-
- Krissa López
- Cruz con Paja Aplicada / Straw Cross
- 1993
- Pino, paja, pigmento negro/ Pine, straw, black pigment
- Donación de / Gift of Nancy Reynolds
- MOSCA 2000.8
-
- Krissa López
- Cruz con Paja Aplicada / Straw Cross
- 1983
- Pino, paja, pigmento rojo/ Pine, straw, black pigment
- Legado de / Bequest of Ann and Alan Vedder
- MOSCA 1990.248
-
-
- Krissa López-Moya
- La Beata Kateri Tekakwitha / The Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
- 2005
- Alamillo, pino, tempera de huevo, barro local /
- Aspen, pine, egg tempera, micaceous clay
- Colección de / Collection of El Potrero
-
- A member of the Turtle Clan of the Mohawk nation, Kateri Tekakwitha
- was first introduced to the Christian faith by French Jesuit missionaries.
- She was baptized in 1676, and led a spiritual life attaining a close
union
- with God through prayer. She was the first Native North American
- proposed for sainthood, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980,
- and her canonization is pending. She is the patroness of ecology and
- the environment. López-Moya found inspiration for this piece
from the Pojoaque Pueblo and their sense of community and fortitude. The
corn
- stalks on either side of the figure represent New Mexican gardens,
the
- turtle upon which she stands indicates the Turtle Clan, and the
- shield is meant to convey strength and provide protection.
-