Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso) and Arthur Lopez (Hispanic), have created unique collaborative works for the first time this year.  The vessel was made by Russell and stone polished with a black clay. The wood sections were carved by Arthur.  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 water color pigment.  Natural colored pigments, such as the brown, are derived from black walnut hulls.  Russell uses traditional clay from San Ildefonso, which is then coil built, stone polished and traditionally fired.  These are the time involved and historic foundations for this collaboration.

This oval clay vessel is the foundation for the “Virgin of Guadalupe” wood bultos added to one side.  The back is etched with roses and inset with Lone Mountain Turquoise.  The sides of the jar are inlaid with multi-color heishi beads.

Arthur and Russell say of this piece:

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico.  She is depicted with brown skin, an angel and moon at her feet and rays of sunlight that encircle her.   According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous man named Juan Diego on Dec. 9, 1531.  Juan was told to take a message to the local bishop to build a church.  When he was ignored, he returned and the inside of his robe was filled with roses in the middle of winter.  When he opened his robe the roses fell to the ground and the Virgin’s image appeared on his cloak.  The Virgin of Guadalupe is therefore associated with Roses.  The back of the jar has San Idlefonso style roses.  The multicolor hei-shi is for the rainbow and also all the colors of the world.  The colors of the world represent light and all the people of the world.