There’s an angel by the roadside! Crouched atop a suitcase, a young male, with resting wings and a quiff in his hair, crouched, silent and contemplative, glancing down from his podium, cast in bronze, he rests tentatively by the pavement.
The angel, situated on a street lined with small businesses, offices, farmers markets and food venues, is an unexpected find! However, Artkey showroom owners, Bernardo Infante and Anna Marquez, have recently opened their premises here, and the angel heralds their arrival.
The Fundacion Artistica Neleco sculpture foundry was established in Mexico by Bernardo’s father over fifty years ago. Naturally, Bernardo became involved with the business at a young age, and has spread his wings into the USA, introducing Artkey to The Woodlands area.
Providing a start-to-finish service, from an initial idea to the final installation, Artkey works with independent sculptors and foundry artisans to create a classic art form which will outlive us all. Casting statues for government offices, churches and cathedrals, memorials, public spaces and smaller personal commissions are all part of the Artkey service.
Traditionally, bronze has been the metal of choice, however, recent commissioned pieces have included those cast in stainless steel, resulting in a modern, contemporary look. Initially, the piece is sculpted by hand in clay, followed by a lengthy process of molds, silicon, fiberglass and wax before finally pouring the molten bronze, and allowing it to set. Next the sculpture is revealed before the finishing work can take place, polishes and colored patinas are set with fire for permanence and protection against the elements. It can take around 20 people to create just one piece. “The process involved is a slow one, and must be, so to incorporate the essence of the artist”, says Bernardo.
People commission all sorts of sculptures, everything from the magnificent, significant, political and religious figures for public spaces, animals and symbolic pieces for private estates, parks and community spaces, to smaller quirkier projects, as well as family pets or scaled-down versions of larger pieces.
Closely working with Mexican sculptor, Alejandro Velasco, the artist behind the angel, “Analizando el Viaje’. The angel, like all Velascos work, is an emotional piece, Velasco describes the piece as representing “my wish to be free, the angel is resting on the journey to the light and has put everything from his life into the suitcase, feelings, work, experience, it is a quest for freedom, a new life and the wish to be born again”, analyzing the trip of life and the inevitable emotional baggage that comes with it.
Velasco, born in 1959, previously worked as an architect in 1980’s Mexico City, so has a feel for marrying architecture with sculpture. He also became the “hands” of British surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, creating sculptures from her paintings, she guided him in her final years when she was unable to sculpt.
Artkey being the sole representatives of Velascos work in the USA, showcase his time-honored works inspired by nature and the human form which are presented alongside his more abstract and surreal pieces. We see lots of leaves, horses, wings, works steeped in symbolism and fantasy, at one with nature, dreams, and mythology, the suitcase is prevalent in many of his works. One of his favorite pieces, “Kocco y sus Amigos”, was created for his granddaughter, Kocco and her friends, portrayed as a carefree happy band, sailing in a boat on wheels, with musical instruments and monkey tails, representing the mischievous nature of the children, is cast in bronze. This enormous interactive piece won 6 medals at the prestigious Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico, and held 40 people inside the boat structure, as well as the children! A scaled-down version is available from Artkey.
Maintaining this classic art form into today’s modern society is a wonderful way to respect and acknowledge tradition, as more art becomes digital and disposable, it’s a delight to retain these classic art practices as well as having the availability of these eternal treasures within our reach.
Artkey is located at 32411 Tamina Rd, Suite A
Launch Party is on Thursday October 20th, between 6 and 9 pm, all welcome.
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281 789 4282