Chavez shows Santero artwork at one-man show
One of Deming's own comes home to share is achievements in art.
Joseph Manuel Chavez, has brought his "Triumph of Faith: A One-Man Show," to the Deming Art Center. Chavez is the featured artist for the month of February at the DAC, 100 S. Gold St.
"Growing up in Deming, I was fortunate to be raised by loving grandparents who instilled in me a sense of pride for my ancestral past," Chavez said.
"I grew up with an appreciation of the natural beauty around me. The striking colors of the land and the changes in the seasons produced vivid pictures that are still embedded in my mind."
Chavez has an illustrious career in various mediums of art. He is renowned for his work as a Santero, or painter of saints and religious icons. A Santero is dedicated to representing his or her faith through art.
IMAGE~ Headlight Photo Homegrown artist Joseph Manuel Chavez was busy hanging his work on Wednesday in preparation for the the Deming Art Center's February exhibit, "Triumph of Faith: A One-Man Show." A reception is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday at the DAC, 100 S. Gold St. Image by Elena Ruiz
Chavez's extensive study of Spanish Colonial art from the 17th and 18th century has produced a link between his ancestral past and his ability to create and produce traditional work with a religious tone of the era. His family ties date back to the Spanish colonization of Santa Fe and he is a member of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society in Santa Fe.
"In my work I strive to always intertwine my ancestral traditions with my Hispanic culture," Chavez explained. "I have bridged a sense of spirituality we all can acknowledge and appreciate.
"My faith has helped me translate those images into works of art I now share with you."
Chavez has also mastered the art of hide painting, retablos and copper engraving. Hide painting is a specialize medium of actually depicting art on animal hides, including bison, deer and elk, with natural pigments. It's a craft that dates back to his ancestors when settling in New Spain (New Mexico) in 1610.
Retablos is painting on wood. This medium also dates back to the 17th century literally means "behind the altar," according to Chavez.
Religious images on copper is a art form that has brought Chavez world recognition. He uses scribes and engraving tools on sheets of copper to be inked and printed on a "torculo (rolling press).
His work in this medium has been highly collected and are limited editions, since the original image is then destroyed.
Chavez's return home to Deming is two-fold. The Deming Arts Council will host a reception for his February show from 1 to 3 p.m., on Sunday at the DAC. The reception is free and open to the public. He has also been commissioned to paint a mural at historic St. Ann Catholic Church. Chavez has done quite a few murals in his career and was the artist who restored the Santo Nino de Atocha shrine in Hurley, New Mexico at the Santa Nino Church.
Chavez now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma where his studio, Arte de Chavez Gallery is located at 1401 E. Second Street.
From his first set of oils at age 5, to the Santero work, estampas (copper) and hide painting, Chavez promises to have a little something for every taste during his "Triumph of Faith: A One-Man Show" exhibit at the DAC.
Bill Armendariz can be reached at (575)546-2611 (ext. 2606).
