Garcia, Tammy -"Path of Beauty" Lidded Jar with Cougars, Flowers, Ribbon 
Artist Media Series
Living Artists
Historic
Arthur Lopez – “The Strong Man! Samson”, Wood Santos
12”w x 27”h x 5.5” deep
$ 7,500.00
Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This piece is entitled “The Strong Man! Samson”.
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and behold the most astounding display of might!”
The legendary Samson, not in his typical biblical narrative, but re imagined as a quintessential circus sideshow strongman, lifting an impossibly heavy barbell with raw power and a touch of theatricality.
Samson stands center, his powerful physique rendered with exaggerated, rippling musculature that speaks to his divine strength. His shoulders are broad, his chest a barrel, and his arms, bulging are locked in the effort of the lift. His head, sculpted with a slightly theatrical grimace of effort, is adorned not with a crown, but with a wild, flowing mane of hair – his source of power – meticulously carved to suggest both immense volume and a hint of disarray from the strain. This hair cascades over his shoulders and down his back, almost becoming a part of the upright support of his stance. Every athlete seeks their “secret weapon” – a training regimen, a diet, a mental strategy. Samson’s hair was his. The story underscores that such “secrets” are often tied to discipline and sacrifice, and their abandonment can lead to loss of capability.
He is depicted wearing a leopard skin strongman’s uniform and a broad belt with a decorative lion head buckle another potent symbol of his untamed might.
The barbell itself is monumental with each “weight” at either end is disproportionately large, the bar connecting them is thick and sturdy, bowed slightly under the immense, implied weight.
Samson exemplifies how great physical gifts or talents can be squandered or become a source of downfall if not coupled with moral strength and self-control. In a world that often glorifies strength, wealth, or influence, Samson’s story reminds us that true power lies in integrity, wisdom, and alignment with a higher purpose. His inability to control his desires and impulses ultimately led to his tragic end, serving as a cautionary tale against self-indulgence.
Arthur wrote of his show Sideshow Saints:
Arthur Lopez’s new exhibition, ‘Sideshow Saints,’ boldly reimagines the sacred narratives of Christian saints within the captivating and often unsettling world of the circus sideshow.”
“Step right up!” and witness a spectacle unlike any other! Prepare to be amazed, to be stunned, to be thrilled! Don’t miss your chance to witness the incredible! A sight you won’t forget, a memory you’ll cherish forever!
“Sideshow Saints” showcases Lopez’s exceptional skill in painted wood sculpture, a medium through which he meticulously reimagines traditional Christian narratives. Each piece in the exhibition demonstrates a profound understanding of form and surface, as Lopez masterfully carves and paints the wood to bring these unique interpretations to life. The tactile quality of the wood, combined with the vibrant layers of paint, imbues the sculptures with a tangible presence, bridging the historical narratives with a contemporary artistic sensibility.”
Lopez pulls back the circus curtain by inviting viewers into the world circus sideshow or (Freak-show) as it is sometimes referred as. Circus sideshows are known for their bizarre and unusual acts that include people with unusual physical characteristics or conditions that were often considered “Freaks of Nature” or “Beyond Natural”. This concept sparked the theme for “Sideshow Saints”, Just as the sideshow spotlighted individuals with extraordinary characteristics, the lives of the saints are filled with equally extraordinary tales of martyrdom, miracles, and divine intervention. This parallel forms the foundation of the exhibition, where each figure is masterfully carved and painted with careful attention to their traditional attributes, reinterpreted within a sideshow setting.
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.
Click here to read more and see all the pieces in “Sideshow Saints.”
Arthur Lopez: Sideshow Saints
Out of stock
Brand:Lopez, Arthur (b. 1971)
Description
Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This piece is entitled “The Strong Man! Samson”.
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and behold the most astounding display of might!”
The legendary Samson, not in his typical biblical narrative, but re imagined as a quintessential circus sideshow strongman, lifting an impossibly heavy barbell with raw power and a touch of theatricality.
Samson stands center, his powerful physique rendered with exaggerated, rippling musculature that speaks to his divine strength. His shoulders are broad, his chest a barrel, and his arms, bulging are locked in the effort of the lift. His head, sculpted with a slightly theatrical grimace of effort, is adorned not with a crown, but with a wild, flowing mane of hair – his source of power – meticulously carved to suggest both immense volume and a hint of disarray from the strain. This hair cascades over his shoulders and down his back, almost becoming a part of the upright support of his stance. Every athlete seeks their “secret weapon” – a training regimen, a diet, a mental strategy. Samson’s hair was his. The story underscores that such “secrets” are often tied to discipline and sacrifice, and their abandonment can lead to loss of capability.
He is depicted wearing a leopard skin strongman’s uniform and a broad belt with a decorative lion head buckle another potent symbol of his untamed might.
The barbell itself is monumental with each “weight” at either end is disproportionately large, the bar connecting them is thick and sturdy, bowed slightly under the immense, implied weight.
Samson exemplifies how great physical gifts or talents can be squandered or become a source of downfall if not coupled with moral strength and self-control. In a world that often glorifies strength, wealth, or influence, Samson’s story reminds us that true power lies in integrity, wisdom, and alignment with a higher purpose. His inability to control his desires and impulses ultimately led to his tragic end, serving as a cautionary tale against self-indulgence.
Arthur wrote of his show Sideshow Saints:
Arthur Lopez’s new exhibition, ‘Sideshow Saints,’ boldly reimagines the sacred narratives of Christian saints within the captivating and often unsettling world of the circus sideshow.”
“Step right up!” and witness a spectacle unlike any other! Prepare to be amazed, to be stunned, to be thrilled! Don’t miss your chance to witness the incredible! A sight you won’t forget, a memory you’ll cherish forever!
“Sideshow Saints” showcases Lopez’s exceptional skill in painted wood sculpture, a medium through which he meticulously reimagines traditional Christian narratives. Each piece in the exhibition demonstrates a profound understanding of form and surface, as Lopez masterfully carves and paints the wood to bring these unique interpretations to life. The tactile quality of the wood, combined with the vibrant layers of paint, imbues the sculptures with a tangible presence, bridging the historical narratives with a contemporary artistic sensibility.”
Lopez pulls back the circus curtain by inviting viewers into the world circus sideshow or (Freak-show) as it is sometimes referred as. Circus sideshows are known for their bizarre and unusual acts that include people with unusual physical characteristics or conditions that were often considered “Freaks of Nature” or “Beyond Natural”. This concept sparked the theme for “Sideshow Saints”, Just as the sideshow spotlighted individuals with extraordinary characteristics, the lives of the saints are filled with equally extraordinary tales of martyrdom, miracles, and divine intervention. This parallel forms the foundation of the exhibition, where each figure is masterfully carved and painted with careful attention to their traditional attributes, reinterpreted within a sideshow setting.
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.
Click here to read more and see all the pieces in “Sideshow Saints”
Learn More
Brand
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."