Arthur Lopez – “The Radiant Christ” Standing Cross
$ 2,800.00
Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This piece is carved from wood and entitled, “The Radiant Christ”. The cross is hand-carved and beautifully painted with New Mexico colors not just on the front, but on the sides. The piece consists of various levels of carving, creating a multi-dimensional piece. I’m not sure I was able to capture the various dimensions, but look at all the side views and you can see the various colors and depth. Amazing piece by Arthur!
The process for Arthur’s work is bound in tradition. After the piece is carved, it is covered in gesso (a glue made from rabbit hide), which is allowed to dry and then sanded. It is painted with both natural and watercolor pigments. Natural colored pigments, such as brown, are derived from black walnut hulls. These are the time involved and the historical foundations for his work.
Arthur’s work is found in numerous museums and public collections, including Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, Denver Art Museum, Freedom Museum (911 Memorial at Ground Zero), Harwood Museum of Art, Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, and the State of New Mexico Permanent Art Collection. Most recently he received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2022!
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Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This piece is carved from wood and entitled, “Noche de Paz” or “Night of Peace”. The large cross has the Nativity in the central medallion. The remainder of the cross is painted with stars in the night sky. The edging is traditional New Mexican colors.
The process for Arthur’s work is bound in tradition. After the piece is carved, is covered in gesso (a glue made from rabbit hide) which is allowed to dry and then sanded. It is painted with both natural and watercolor pigments. Natural colored pigments, such as brown, are derived from black walnut hulls. These are the time involved and historic foundations for his work.
We are pleased to present this amazing body of work from one of the leading Santos artists in the country. Arthur’s artistic expression continues to break through the history of Traditional Spanish Colonial art in New Mexico. Each piece demonstrates his expressive ideas by utilizing and honoring traditional techniques to arrive at his uniquely contemporary one-of-a-kind creations. Consistently Arthur has pushed the boundaries of the New Mexico Santero tradition that has placed him a the forefront of his craft.
Arthur’s work is found in numerous museum and public collections, including Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, Denver Art Museum, Freedom Museum (911 Memorial at Ground Zero), Harwood Museum of Art, Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, and the State of New Mexico Permanent Art Collection. Most recently he received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2022!
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Lopez, Arthur (b. 1971)
Arthur Lopez
Arthur Lopez (b.1971) said, "I firmly believe that you can still use traditional methods to create contemporary work."
Though most of Arthur's work represents Saints, you do not have to be of any particular religion to appreciate them as art. Equally crucial to López is his need to transcend the bounds of the traditional santero and use his art to express the full range of his culture and the world around him. López has exhibited in numerous shows throughout the Southwest and is in many prominent museum collections nationwide. His work has been exhibited internationally at the 2nd International Triennial of Kogei - "The Arts Grounded in Region," 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan; "Song of the West," Kohi Kulturaum, Karlsruhe, Germany and "The Saints From a Land So Remote" - LAProjects, Landshut, Germany. Arthur Lopez was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and he is proud to be working in the long tradition of New Mexico santero artists. His keen attention to detail has garnered him many awards, and he is highly esteemed as one of New Mexico's most popular santero wood sculptors. In 2015 Arthur Lopez was awarded the City of Santa Fe Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
"My work comes out of my faith."