Paying Homage
A “retable” or “retablo” was originally a frame or shelf enclosing decorated panels or revered objects above and behind an altar. It has since come to also designate the painting or other image it encloses. In Mexico, it is common for families to have smaller versions of the larger pieces seen in churches in their homes. At the time I moved here in 2001, I could buy the undecorated, unpainted ornamental metal frames for retablos in a local artisan market and I started making retablos myself that paid homage to saints, Mexican legendary figures, artists, family members and friends. Over the years, my subjects have grown, as have the retablos. Here are a few of the hundreds I’ve created over the past 16 years. Recently, as the metal frames get harder to find, I have started using simpler boxes which I have constructed for me.
Jugetes (Toys)
“We’ll Always Have Paris”
Santa Cecilia (Patron Saint of Poets and Musicians)
Self Portrait
Hidden Kiss
Sunrise Madonna
The Circus
Sunday Afternoon Sala
Ganesha
Creativity
Homage to Picasso
Rainy Season
H
Macho
Our Lady of Notions
The prompt today was homage.
These are incredible! How I would love to have some of them (Homage to Picasso or Toys, for instance)! I know, the answer is – go make them yourself…
But seriously, do you sell those pieces? I would assume you do, if you display them in galleries.
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I do, but don’t have any galleries in the U.S. anymore since I live in Mexico. The Picasso piece has been sold. The Jugetes (Toys) piece is 20 inches high. Many are smaller than that. If you are interested in specific pieces, email me at jubob2@hotmail.com Where do you live?
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I live in Miami Beach. I didn’t mean specifically the Picasso piece, although I would dearly love to have it. That was just an example of what speaks to me. I do have paintings that are larger than 20 inches; that’s not an issue, but it has to speak to me. I will e-mail, thank you.
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How I love seeing all these retablos, Judy, knowing there are, what, hundreds? more on your walls and in your studio and all around the place. Gorgeous and inspiring. Makes me want to create another.
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So come early or stay longer and come do so.
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So beautiful and creative.
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Thanks, D.Wallace
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As I have a feeling that you can turn your hand to many skills, I’m surprised you haven’t had a go at making the metal frames – although it would add time to each finished piece.
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My art is more putting things together. I was a sliversmith for 15 years, but when I came to Mexico wanted to change what I was doing. Metal smithing skills help a lot in the assemblages but I like the thought and design aspects more than the actual altering of metallic shapes. Another factor is that I developed an allergy to metal–especially copper and brass–so the less time in contact with them, the better.
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I’ve never thought about copper allergy. When people say they’re allergic to silver, is it likely that the problem lies in the copper used to stabilise sterling silver?
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Possibly. I’m mildly allergic to silver around my neck, possibly because of an interaction with sunscreen which reacts to the copper, but wear silver rings, earrings and bracelets with no problem. I’d never thought before why this is so, but you may have solved the mystery.
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When I sold silver it bothered me that so many people claimed to be allergic to silver, but not gold. I think of silver as the cleaner metal of the two, as gold tends to contain nickel and/or zinc (and/or copper). Gold plays havoc with my skin.
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