I usually make a visit to The Albuquerque Museum once every three months to view the newest exhibit. Last Sunday, I took in the Hispanic Traditional Arts of New Mexico show and was pleasantly surprise at the quality and intricacies of the art work. Hispanic artists, some going back four hundred years, have contributed their religious image-making, weaving, colcha embroidery, furniture making, silverwork, straw applique and tinwork to this extensive exhibit.
The subjects involved in santero art are the Catholic saints. Santeros can be either retablos (flat paintings), reredos (altar screens) or bultos (three-dimensional carved figures). An exquisite example of the bulto is Horacio Valdez’s, “Our Lady of Talpa,” of carved and painted wood. It stands 28 1/2 inches tall and was gifted to Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce in 1982. Another impressive example is Ricardo T. Lopez’s, “Tree of Life,” of carved Aspen and Juniper and completed in 1980. I was particularly fascinated with this piece as the artist cleverly disguises the birds wings as leaves on the tree.
Traditional Hispanic weaving and embroidery in New Mexico can be traced to the Spanish importation of Churro sheep. This breed is know for its long, straight wool that is perfect for weaving. The wool can be dyed with natural pigments, using indigo for blues, chamisa for yellows, and imported cochineal for reds. A lovely example of this kind of traditional weaving is Teresa Archuleta-Sagel’s blanket, “Desert Diamond Saltillo,” measuring 61 1/2 x 42 3/4 inches and acquired through a museum purchase in 1983.
Evidence of metalworking in New Mexico can be traced back to the 1830’s. Plateros (silversmiths and goldsmiths) and tinsmiths worked out of family-run talleros (workshops) producing combs, jewelry, candlesticks, crucifixes, and dishes. A modern example of this kind of metalworking is Luis Mojica’s, “Silver Box with Filigree Top,” made of Sterling and fine silver and completed in 2009. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that his silver box has an intricate hinge and locking device. The eye-catching lid is a series of curled metal joined together by an oval centerpiece.
Hispanic Traditional Arts of New Mexico will hang from September 18, 2011 - January 8, 2012 at The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Road NW ~ Old Town, (505) 243-7255.
