The gestation of the lizard, released on: 11/01/2012
Size: 20 x 25 cm
Frame: 23 x 33 cm
Francisco Toledo is one of the most important Mexican artists and one of my favorite artists too. His artistic production involves painting and sculpture depicting animals or legends of his native place, Oaxaca. Despite his fame, Toledo dislikes to talk in public or give an interview, he never plays a role of "art star" because he's focused on his artistic production and that's most important for him.
Few years ago, Toledo created a large scale sculpture, "La lagartera" (The lizard's place). He worked several months in Monterrey (MX) to produce the sculpture. At that time I was in Monterrey, so I decided to look for the place Toledo was working in the Lagartera and try to talk with him. I looked for the place with a friend. Because we didn't know the address (it was a secret to avoid onlookers), we took a car and drove on the streets of the neighborhood which the Toledo's studio was located. First day we didn't find the place but we got good clues, second day we arrived at the Toledo's studio, but he wasn't there that day! Next day we arrived at place and Toledo was working in the Lagartera. It was amazing! We saw Toledo while he was working and we stay there, just watching and enjoying of the magic calm of that man. After he finished his work, we had some minutes to talk with him and then he said goodbay and went out the place to take a taxi such as the most common person in the world. Again, we went to meet him but that time we invited to take our car with us to give him a lift. He said: "You don't look like kidnappers, Ok let's go". What a magical moment! Francisco Toledo was in my car! We talked about many things, about Monterrey, about Juchitán, his native town in Oaxaca, about the wind, about our families, many things in a short time. That day is one of the best days of my life. "The gestation of the lizard" is an image of that day.
La Lagartera, sculpture by Francisco Toledo
No comments:
Post a Comment