Local sculptor Miguel Miramontes, one of Mexico’s foremost artists, has offered one of his recent works to the Ajijic Cultural Center.
Produced in plaster, the three-figure, six-foot tall sculpture of a family (man, woman and child) will need to be “bronzed” before it can be displayed.
Although Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta has donated 50,000 pesos from the municipal treasury to help with the cost, another 110,000 pesos must be found.“I suppose that we could take years to gather the funds for this project,” says artist Efren Gonzalez, head of the cultural center. “But the dedication of the sculpture should happen while the maestro is still living and he’s 95 years old.”
Continues Gonzalez: “For our cultural center to house one of this great artist’s works will be a great distinction, not only for us but for generations to come.”
To raise funds, Gonzalez plans to hold an art auction on the Ajijic Plaza on Friday, March 8, 3:30 p.m. On the block will be paintings and other objects from local artists.
Miramontes, a native of Jalisco, has been sculpting since he was 16 years old and has become one of the most important artists of his time. Examples of his work can be found in cities around the world.
A friend of Frida Kahlo, Jose Clemente Orozco and Juan Rulfo, Miramontes was professor of the Sculpture Workshop in the School of Plastic Arts of the University of Guadalajara for 30 years.
His works span the panoply of materials, including rock crystal, wood, bronze, granite and clay.
He and his wife Teresa live in Chapala.
Those who can’t make it to the auction can donate to this project by calling Gonzalez at 766-5381.