Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante says that one of the memories of his childhood “was the sensation to be able to fly”. And from this, it appears much of his art is born. Himself born in Culiacan, Mexico, he studied at the University of Guadalajara and established a studio in one of that city’s more charming suburbs, Tlaquepaque. While much of his work speaks of love – the above piece is entitled The Lightness of Being – much of it whispers of sorrow in moments forever gone. One of his very own questions: “Can you call inspiration to bring dreams of the past?”
The Lightness of Being in bronze.
He works in ceramic and resin, but it is his large works in bronze that have defined him, such as In Search of Reason (above). The 30-ft. high bronze sculpture sits on the Malecon (sidewalk-boardwalk) in the oceanfront resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as public art. The town’s 3.7 million tourist-visitors a year love posing with his creations – and are encouraged to climb the ladder.
As she sends her young ones off, to climb up the ladder and presumably fly away, it is difficult to let go. Is it one of those memories that can never be captured again as more than a memory? A smaller version (below) of the same piece is available for more pedestrian use (but then again, what can be more pedestrian than the Malecon?)
The Rain is a joyful piece in bronze, a woman embracing the rain and choosing not to use her umbrella. And the figure has his trademark triangle head, a feature that hints at great wisdom and knowledge. Many of Bustamante’s bronze works are also available in resin – more colorful versions that are decidedly different in emotion (see The Rain, in resin, below).
Balance and Sanity is a large piece – over 8 feet tall. But because it’s bronze, it can be outdoors if you don’t have a spot in your living room. Just be sure you know exactly where you want it before you have them set it down – it weighs over 200 pounds.
The Astrologer is a resin piece – a mystic soul. Part cat, part bird, part human – all seeing. Whimsical and playful, the human hands are most jarring piece of this sculpture. Fantasy and realism collide to create this fanciful feline seer. Bustamante’s whimsical side is a large part of his resin and ceramics collections. And his attention to detail is more front and center in these colorful works.
The Poet is a simplistic and elegant bronze, with elongated style. Gazing at the flower, our triangle head is contemplating the flower with perhaps a tad of skepticism.
Pavel Sun is a cheerful piece in resin – from his more playful collection. Wouldn’t this look great in a young child’s room? It would also look great in any adult room, after all, it is a Bustamante.
Salome with the head of John the Baptist is 15 feet tall and weighs over 500 lbs.
Brasil is another colorful resin piece with lots to look at — and a nod to Rio’s Carnival with the three masks on sticks.
The Happy Blindness – haven’t we all been there? Purposely blinded ourselves to things we did not want to know/see and done so very happily. It’s human nature.
The Happy Blindness in resin (below)
Shooting Star is a charming scene in bronze, a woman at her dressing table in her dressing gown, window open, watching a shooting star.
The Silence of the Night is an emotional piece as a woman, seemingly haunted by the night, sets out across the water.
Introspection is another thoughtful piece, available in bronze or resin (pictured). And while many pieces, such as this one, are available in multiple mediums, they are very different in their appearance. Bustamante, since his international success, has branched out into jewelry design and smaller pieces that are more accessible, as well as furniture while still producing the large pieces. Each piece of his work is part of a limited edition collection, signed by the artist, hand made and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. He’s truly a Mexican national treasure, and his pieces are routinely acquired by various levels of government in Mexico not only as public art but as gifts for visiting dignitaries and heads of state. Many galleries around the world offer his work and you can also purchase directly from his website. While his prices have crept higher in recent years, he’s still a good investment as an artist. Not to mention a highly sophisticated choice.
More information: Sergio Bustamante
