- Tomás Batista
Tomás Batista (born 1935) is considered to be
Puerto Rico 's greatest sculptor. He is the creator of some of Puerto Rico's most famous monuments.Early years
Batista was born and raised in
Luquillo, Puerto Rico , a town located in the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico. His family was poor but, despite the fact that his families economic situation wasn't a good one, he did well in school and was able to finish high school. His family recognized that their son had talent as an artist at a young age. After graduating from high school, he moved to San Juan to continue his education., There he met and went to work with the Spanish artist,Angel Botello . In 1955, while working with Botello, Batista discovered that he had a natural talent to work with the restoration process in wood. He learned from Botello the secrets of restoration and how to work with gold on wood. In 1957, he realized his first work of art the "Crucifixion". [http://netdial.caribe.net/~abatista/tbatista.htm [Tomas Batista] ]In 1958, Batista was awarded a grant and studied sculptoring at the
Puerto Rican Institute of Culture under the direction of the Maestro Compostela. Batista also studied art inLa Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes La Esmeralda inMexico , the Guggenhimen inNew York and in the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica inSpain . In 1966, he was named director of the Department of Sculpture and Restoration of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture. In 1972, Batista spent a year in Spain, where he created the busts ofEugenio Maria de Hostos andRamón Emeterio Betances .culptures
Among his creations is
Monumento al Jíbaro Puertorriqueño (Monument to the Common Puerto Rican Countryman) inCayey . In this monument Batista reflects the humbleness and hard working nature of the typical Puerto Rican farmer and his family. The monument is located by theLuis A. Ferré Highway in Cayey. [ [http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1984/3/84.03.08.x.html Yale] ]Among Batista's other works are the sculptures of
Julia de Burgos in Carolina,Hayuya in Jayuya, and Rafael Hernández inBayamón plus many more. In 1993, he unveiled the monument of the Cacique Loguillo which is located in his hometown. [ [http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/famousprA-C.shtml Puerto Rico] ]Awards and recognition
Amongst his many awards and recognitions is the second place prize in 1965 for his sculpture "Caracol" in a sculpting contest held for young Latin American artists and sponsored by
Esso . In 1976, he was named "The Most Outstanding Youngman in Puerto Rico" by the Jr. Camara of Commerence. In 1987 Batista was awarded the Medalla de la Orden del Quinto Centenario meaning: the "Medal of the Order of the 5th Century", in commemoration of Puerto Rico being discovered byChristopher Columbus . [ [http://www.experiencefestival.com/tomas_batista Festival] ]The City of Bayamón is the sponsor of Batista's work with a permanent exposition in the Salón Batista. In 1991, a permanent exhibition of his works was also established in his native city of Luquillo. Tomás Batista's works of art can also be found in museum's in Puerto Rico, New York and
Washington, D.C. , and also in some private collections.Tomas Batista currently travels around the island and abroad giving conferences about his art.ee also
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List of famous Puerto Ricans References
External links
* [http://premium.caribe.net/~abatista/tbatista.htm Tomas Batista]
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