Artist Works

BIOGRAPHY

A native New Mexican, Rudy Gonzales was raised in Santa Fe, where he had an early artistic mentor in his uncle, Eulogio, who encouraged his nephew in mindfulness and a process-oriented patience.

Rudy began his formal study of art at Highlands University in Northern New Mexico, where he majored in art as an undergraduate and went on to take a Master's degree in the field. At Highlands he found a new mentor in sculpture professor Harry Leippe, who focused not merely on technique but also on helping his students discover and bring forth the deeper values of their work.

After Highlands, Rudy moved to California where he worked as an art instructor at both the high school and college levels, seeking to pass on to younger artists the gifts he had received from those who taught him. At this time, his own work was exhibited in galleries in the pretty town of Morgan Hill, in the Santa Clara Valley. Returning to Santa Fe in the 1970s, he established himself in his chosen day job of plumber – a trade requiring much of the same dexterity in working with metals as sculpting in bronze and iron does – while exhibiting in various galleries on Canyon Road. Today, Darnell Fine Art is proud to represent the work of this unique New Mexican artist.

PROCESS AND VISION

When meeting Rudy Gonzales for the first time, clients are typically taken aback by the peace and gentleness of the man in contrast to the power and complexity of his work. As student, teacher, craftsman, and artist, Rudy Gonzales has traveled down many roads guided by his desire to participate fully in all aspects of life.

The core of Rudy’s creation comes from his ability to “let the ideas speak." Rudy conceives of his calling as an artist as a means of giving his ideas form and shape. Rather than Rudy himself dominating the process, the conceptual has predominance. Rudy as sculptor acts as a vehicle to communicate these ideas and let them arise.

Having evolved from sculpting in steel in the 1970s, Rudy is known today for his nude bronze figures that reflect the tension between creating abstract and figurative work. Some of his pieces embody the spirit of mother earth and the natural beauty within us and surrounding us. Others celebrate the simple energy and power of being alive.

From Art Teacher to Master Plumber to Sculptor, Rudy has over the past thirty years mastered a unique blend of skills – from modeling to metal working, mechanical engineering to metal chemistry – enabling him to excel in every part of the process of sculptural creation. Rudy starts organically from clay that he makes himself, without preliminary sketches or drawings. He then creates small maquettes, oversees the foundry process, and creates the patina or coloring, often to the specifications of the client.

SELECTED COLLECTIONS AND COMMISSIONS

Vanessie Restaurant and Piano Bar, Santa Fe, NM
John Hogan, Dallas, TX
Don Smalley, Santa Fe, NM
Jack & Judy Johnson, Santa Cruz, CA
Mel Fellini, Santa Fe, NM
Edmund Pen Cranz, Ft. Worth, TX
Jim & Julie Roybal, Albuquerque, NM
Cynthia Gonzales & Robert Warnicke, Phoenix, AZ
Steven Gonzales & Christa Hazlitt, Albuquerque, NM
Doris Martin, Santa Fe, NM
Jerry Cooke, Santa Fe, NM
Charlotte Golin, Santa Fe, NM
Carol Anthony, Santa Fe, NM
Meridel Rubenstein, Northampton, MA
Hall Galleries, Ft. Worth, TX
Howard & Matilda Rubin, Santa Fe, NM
Deborah Boldt, Santa Fe, NM
Ana Livingston, Santa Fe, NM
Susan Landress, San Francisco, CA
Ron Robles, Santa Fe, NM
Jerry R. West, Santa Fe, NM
Pat Aranda & Helen Maloof, Santa Fe, NM
Randy Stay, Santa Fe, NM
Lu Gonzales, Santa Fe, NM
Tom Maniscalco, Chicago, IL
Bonnie Reiland, Minneapolis, MN
K.D. Vetsch, Minneapolis, MN

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Contemporary Hispanic Market, Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico Fiesta, Biennial Exhibitions, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
11th Annual St. Jude Show, University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
Art Exhibit – Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
New Mexico Fine Arts Biennial, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
One-Man Show, Gavilan College, Gilroy, CA
One-Man Show, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
Southwest Fine Arts Biennial, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
Carnegie Institute Museum of Art; Henry J. Seldis, Art Critic, Los Angeles Times, Juror