Arthur Lopez & Bernadette Marquez-Lopez – “Bella Muerte” Necklace (Silver, Wood, Garnet)
$ 4,500.00
Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This is a collaborative piece by Arthur and Bernadette Marquez-Lopez. She is famous for her jewelry and they often collaborate to create unique pieces. This necklace is entitled, “Bella Muerte”. The pendant is sterling silver with a wood carved center piece by Arthur. The surrounding area has five silver flowers (for which Bernadette is famous!) with inset garnets. The pendant is on a five strand sterling silver and garnet necklace. It is definitely “wearable art”.
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 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 at 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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Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This is a collaborative piece by Arthur and Bernadette Marquez-Lopez. She is famous for her jewelry and they often collaborate to create unique pieces. This bolo tie is entitled, “Clara-Vision” and is part of his show, “Altar-Visions of the Southwest”. The center piece is carved and painted by Arthur. It is set into a sterling silver “tv” box and there is citrine quartz in the center. There are also sterling silver tips. It is definitely “wearable art”.
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 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 at 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."
Marquez-Lopez, Bernadette (b. 1972)
Bernadette Marquez is a native New Mexican raised in Santa Fe. She shares her life with husband and fellow artist Arthur Lopez and their two sons Darean and Jeremiah. Bernadette juried into the prestigious Traditional Spanish Market in 2004. She works in the Art form of Precious Metals with a main focus on Sterling Silver jewelry. She has always appreciated the craftsmanship and intricate detail of precious metals. An Art form that is as old as the city itself, introduced by the Spanish some 400 years ago. While her work is rooted in these long honored traditions, Bernadette transforms the tradition making it relevant for the taste of todays sophisticated buyer. With a mindful approach to originality, Bernadette is at the forefront of contemporary jewelry design using only the finest materials to create a statement to be adorned.
Bernadette also enjoys utilizing other elements into her jewelry like the collaborations with husband and award winning sculptor Arthur Lopez adding hand painted or hand carved and painted images that transforms them into wearable art. “My work celebrates the culture of my hispanic heritage that I am so blessed and proud to be a part of”.
Bernadette’s work is included in many prominent collections throughout the country and is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. She has won many awards at Spanish Market including two collaboration awards with husband Arthur Lopez