Tony Oviedo~
The Art & Soul of a
Master Bronze Sculptor

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | August 2025

This week we are honoring Tony Oviedo’s award winning sculptures and also featuring some of his new works that have just arrived, many have not been seen before but all are now on display at Chimayo Trading and also at chimayotrading.com.

Tony Oviedo is a distinguished artist, bronze sculptor, and storyteller based in Northern New Mexico. Born into a family with a rich artistic heritage, Tony is the son of master sculptor and santero and raised in the culturally vibrant region of Chimayó, New Mexico, Tony was immersed in the traditions of Spanish Colonial art from a young age. He began woodworking in his father’s shop as a child and started sculpting and casting bronze in the family’s foundry in 1990. This early exposure to craftsmanship laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to art. Read more below…

Tony Oviedo’s contributions to the art world have been widely recognized.

Best of Sculpture
Contemporary Hispanic Market
Santa Fe, NM
2025

Best of Sculpture Award Winners

LEFT: “Huginn” Male Raven
15″ x 40″ x 13″
$12,000

RIGHT: “Muninn” Female Raven
20.5″ x 31″ x 12″
$12,000

In 2004, he also won Best of Sculpture and in 2005 Best of Art at Spanish Market in the Contemporary Art category. His sculptures are part of several museum collections across the United States, showcasing his influence in the art community.

“Rosa” Sandhill Crane
10.5” x 16.5″ x 9″
$7500

The artist lives in the picturesque town of Velarde along the Rio Grande in a house he made. Devoted dad to four daughters, he put his art career on hold to become a New Mexico State Police Officer or “Warrior of Peace”, for 16 years and retired as a seargant. Now that he is retired from peacemaking, his heart, soul and fierce focus have returned to his first and deepest love: making myth, sculpting stories and carrying forward the traditions of his notable family for generations.

LEFT: “Humberto” Owl
9.5″ x 6.5″ x 6.5″
$2500

RIGHT: “Beatrix” Raven
11″ x 4″ x 5.5”
$1500

Tony’s artistic journey was further shaped by formal education. He studied at the University of New Mexico, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in 2002, and later honed his skills in sculpture, foundry techniques, and bronze pouring at New Mexico Highlands University. Under his father’s mentorship, Tony mastered the intricate techniques of bronze casting, eventually becoming the manager of the family’s foundry—one of the only remaining bronze foundries in New Mexico.

LEFT: “Goldie” Goldfish
11″ x 14.5″ x 8″
$3500

RIGHT: “Silvia” Fish
17.5″ x 5.5″ x 4.75”
$2500

Tony Oviedo’s work is deeply rooted in storytelling and mythology, blending traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities. As a santero—a traditional Spanish Colonial wood carver of saints—Tony infuses his sculptures with spiritual and cultural significance. His art explores themes of myth, transformation, catharsis, and the human psyche, creating pieces that resonate emotionally and intellectually with viewers.

LEFT: “Kitten” Cat
4.5″ x 7.5″ x 5″
$900

RIGHT: “Benito” Night Owl
3.75″ x 5″ x 2″
$250

His sculptures often depict goddesses, saints, and heroes, brought to life through narrative bronze work. Tony’s ability to combine traditional saint-making techniques with modern artistic expressions results in pieces that are both timeless and innovative. He has a particular passion for creating earthworks and sacred spaces that connect art with the environment.

LEFT: “Stella” Female Crow
12″ x 16.5″ x 7″
$3500

RIGHT: “Stanley” Male Crow
14″ x 13″ x 7″
$3500

A hallmark of Tony’s work is his hands-on approach to bronze casting. He casts all his sculptures in his family’s foundry, a rare and labor-intensive process that sets his work apart. The Oviedo family foundry, the last of its kind in New Mexico, is a testament to their commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Tony’s expertise in bronze casting, developed through years of apprenticeship with his father, allows him to create both large-scale public commissions and smaller private works with meticulous detail.

LEFT: “Bonnie” Female Crow
7.5″ x 11.5″ x 3.5″
$1500

RIGHT: “Clyde”, Male Crow
6″ x 11.5″ x 4″
$1500

His process is deeply personal, reflecting a legacy that spans generations. As Tony states on his website…

“I cast all of my sculptures myself in my family’s bronze foundry, where I’ve been pouring bronze since I was a child. The legacy of bronze casting is close to my heart, and through my work, I hope to impart this tradition to you.”

LEFT: “Marc Antony” Male Crow
9.25″ x 3.5″ x 4″
$750

RIGHT: “Cleopatra” Female Crow
8″ x 3″ x 4″
$750

Tony Oviedo’s work is a bridge between tradition and innovation, honoring his New Mexican roots while pushing artistic boundaries. His sculptures, whether monumental or intimate, invite viewers to engage with stories of cultural heritage, spirituality, and human experience. By maintaining the family’s bronze foundry and sharing his craft through exhibitions and commissions, Tony ensures that the art of bronze casting remains a living tradition.

Tony Oviedo at Chimayo Trading Del Norte

Come to the Chimayo Trading Del Norte Gallery in the Historic Saint Francis Church Plaza, Ranchos de Taos, NM or visit chimayotrading.com to see Tony’s masterful and inspirational bronze sculptures.

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

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

575.758.0504

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Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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