Lot #116: Vintage Mid-Century Arturo Alcala Mexican Folk Art Paintings

Arturo Alcala (Born in 1957) Mexican artist His art is inspired by folk art. He is famous for his modern impressionism and his lovingly detailed painting of birds and animals. His panel paintings are reminiscent of ancient Mexican earthenware from the years 1940 and other styles of folk art in Latin America. “Mexican handicrafts and folk art are a complex collection of items made with various materials and intended for utility purposes, decorative or other. Some of the handcrafted items in this country include ceramic, wall hangings, the vases, the furniture, textiles and much more. In Mexico, both handcraft and folk art are collectively known as "artesanía" because they both have a similar history and both are valued parts of Mexico's national identity. Most artisans produced in Mexico are ordinary things made for everyday use, but they are still considered artistic because most of them contain decorative details and / or are painted in bright colors for aesthetic purposes. The bold use of color in crafts and other constructions dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The pyramids, temples, murals, textiles and religious objects were painted or colored in red ocher, bright green, burnt orange, various yellows and turquoise. These would be joined by other colors introduced by European and Asian contacts, but always in bold tones. Even the production of colors is linked to the history of craftsmanship. The red pigment since pre-Hispanic times comes from the cochineal bug, which is crushed, dried and ground into powder to mix in a liquid base…” 11.5" x 7.75" Pickup category timeslot {A}