05.20.23 Patrocino Barela

Patrociño Barela
A Man Of Grace

By Rebekah Powers | May 2023

Taos has long been known as an art colony of world class artists, writers, philosophers and creatives. But there is one incredible artist whose story, whose work and whose spirit radiate a little brighter than most. He is a man who belongs to this place as much as a juniper tree belongs here. And it was from Juniper that he carved a name for himself that will not be forgotten.

Motivated by a deep mystical longing and insight into the tragedy and joy of human life, the smooth wood carvings speak to “something more”. Through his deep relationship to the church, Patrociño Barela interprets life through his work with insight, grace and very few words. There is a tension between and within the figures in his carving, a push/pull between the flesh and the soul, and upturned faces filled with the promise of salvation.

Praying Man
The smallest of the 3 works, this piece depicts a humble man in supplication, his eyes closed inward, his arms at his sides, heavily weighted hands almost touching the base. The body is diminished with a prominent hood, a common feature of Barela’s carvings. The most distinguishing characteristic though is the exaggeration and simplification of the face. Recalling Easter Island and certain African and other indigenous imagery.

The simple life of Taos wood carver Patrociño Barela took an unexpected turn in 1936 when he was featured in an exhibition of work through the Federal Art Project WPA. Hailed as “The Discovery of the Year” by the New York Times magazine, Barela’s star began to rise as museums and galleries showed his work and collectors began to find him.

In a review of a Barela show in 1961, Dr. Douglas Hale described the work:
“Barela is a natural sculptor without the benefit of art training. How to describe sculpture that is small, yet monumental; amusing, yet dignified; naive but sophisticated; recognizable, yet powerfully abstract; complex in conception but charmingly simple in appeal.”

A carving by Patrociño is so smooth in shape and natural in feel it is as though rather than carved from wood, it was somehow born from his hands. Because of his wide ranging aspirational subjects, Barela has inspired generations of Santeros (artists who create sacred images) who view his works with wonder and awe, rare now except in museums. The understanding, appreciation and velocity of his message continue to increase through time, as the world is still catching up.

Figure with Heart
Carved from Juniper with the artist’s signature abstraction, the vertical, dignified form is inclusive, with winglike sleeves wrapping around and the central symbol for Love, a great spiritual love, that passes all understanding. Again, we return to the angles of the carved face to see Patrociño Barela and his connection to a core sensibility shared by the ancients.

Chimayo Trading is extremely fortunate to offer these 3 superb figurative sculptures. Each of the carvings is characteristic of Barela: abstract compositions of rounded and elongated forms that seem to melt into each other representing the best and the worst of the human experience. To consider his larger body of work is to see depictions of tragedy and pain dynamically juxtaposed with hope. An emotional depth that can be felt in his carvings reveals itself too, in old photographs of the artist. There is pain etched into his face, but there is also a lot of heart and soul in his expressive eyes.

To hold one of the sculptures in your hand is to feel what Barela felt when he deemed that piece was finished. It is a form of communion. Every carving stands as a testimony to the inherent grace, intelligent spirit and singular talent of Taos’ one and only: Patrociño Barela.

Taos was his home, where he raised a family and where he was recognized and catapulted him into the highest spheres of the art world. Join us in celebration of the artist at our historic gallery location next to the Saint Francis Church of Assisi in Ranchos. We are pretty sure that Patrociño would approve of the setting for his work at Chimayo Trading Del Norte in Ranchos de Taos.

The Bishop
A seated figure with arms bent but outstretched, as though with an offering of a hug, or communion or a benediction. All of Barela’s figures are magical, or tragic or both. This small group conveys the serenity of spiritual inquiry. The focus required by Barela to produce small objects of art in his studio east of Taos must have been a spiritual practice for him, just as viewing them has been for people around the world.

Chimayo Trading also has received a pair of beautiful New Mexican style handmade wooden chairs, the panels of which were carved by Patrociño Barela. Though unsigned, they come with the history of having been given to the Salazar family as a gift from him to thank them for allowing him use of their wood shop.

REFERENCE
Title: “Spirit Ascendent” The Art and Life of Patrociño Barela
Authors: Edward Gonzales and David L. Witt
First published September 1, 1996

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#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

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