Bomeone has noted that if we only had sculptures to go by, we would assume that the entire population of ancient Greece was 23 years old and in peak physical condition.
These classical esthetic “canons,” probably influenced by the’ “ideals” of Socrates, speak to Hugo Bello, an active Guadalajara sculptor (and musician) who will present his work in a notable exhibition set to open Friday, May 3, 4 to 6 p.m. at Casa del Sol Inn, Javier Mina 7 in Ajijic.
Bello’s heads (and hands, torsos, occasionally a complete figure, birds, etc.), are done in bronze, ceramic clay and terra cotta, and are slightly smaller than life size. He generally stays away from plastics and resins because those processes “use very strong chemicals that are very contaminating.” He explains that his processes involve many steps and usually a team of workers, sometimes at the Guadalajara foundry and workshop of Francisco Quiroz, who is assisting with the Casa del Sol showing.
Bello’s figures appear strikingly similar to one another—all attractive people, occasionally children, with pronounced lips and eyes. Leaflike flakes on their skin give opposite impressions—of either decay or construction. The sense of construction is increased by incised lines in the surface of the figures that suggest predetermined proportions à la ancient Greek sculptures and architecture. Fanciful headgear over their hair makes gender tough to decipher.
Bello said that he is an informally- and self-taught sculptor who has long showed an aptitude in this area. “I tried to get into the University of Guadalajara to study art, but the process was too slow. I tried another school but that didn’t work either.” After that, he dabbled in sculpture as a hobby but focused on music, starting early in his career with various bands and compositions for short films and dance presentations to his name.
Then, eight years ago, he started doing sculpture constantly and began to experience a good degree of success. Despite his unorthodox start, his sculptural work sometimes sells well. At a November showing at Galeria Ajolote in the Chapalita neighborhood in metro Guadalajara, everything on display sold. His work sells well “in moments,” he explained. “Sometimes they sell before they even cut the ribbon for the show.”
However, mercantile success aside, Bello emphasizes that what truly fascinates him is “the mystery of the human face.”