Arts Harwood Foundation of UNM
Patrociño Barela

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Patrociño Barela worked most of his life as a wood carver in Taos, New Mexico. As a santero (an artist who creates sacred images), Barela is recognized by New Mexico's living artists as a major source of inspiration. His carvings are not only expressive of the rich Hispano heritage within which he created, but artistically his works display parallels to Romanesque art, Modern art, as well as to the primitive art of other world cultures.

The sixteen works referenced here are representative of a larger exhibition organized by the Harwood Museum of the University of New Mexico in Taos which will begin its tour September, 1996 "Spirit Ascendant, the Art and Life of Patrociño Barela". A book by the same title, co-authored by Edward Gonzales and David L. Witt, will be release by Red Crane Books of Santa Fe to coincide with the exhibition. For additional biographical information see "An Appreciation of Barela" by the authors.




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