Overview

Spanish sculptor José Manuel Castro López carves granite and quartz rocks into fluid sculptural works.  His illusory sculptures appear as if moulded from clay with soft, fabric-like folds and creases, challenging the materiality of the mineral rocks used. The artist always seeks to incorporate the natural shape of each stone before carving, combining the rough, natural surface of his materials with the gentle allusions to different textures. Removing evidence of human intervention at the end of his practice makes the sculptures appear almost as if they have been eroded naturally into these unnatural shapes. His sculptures are unique explorations of texture, form and process.

 

"My relationship with the stone is not only physical but also magical. They manifest, they obey me, we understand each other."

Works
  • Corte Vertical
    Corte Vertical , 2009
    stone
    35cm x 21cm x 28cm (14" x 8" x 11")
  • Dedo de Dios
    Dedo de Dios, 2023
    granite
    34cm x 23cm x 11cm (13" x 9" x 4")
  • Recorte de Piel
    Recorte de Piel, 2021
    granite
    37cm x 31cm x 13cm (15" x 12" x 5")
  • Sin Título
    Sin Título, 2017
    granite
    65cm x 45cm x 27cm (26" x 18" x 11")
  • Sin título
    Sin título, 2008
    stone
    30cm x 30cm x 25cm (12" x 12" x 10")
  • Sin título
    Sin título,
    granite and iron oxide
    H 25cm x W 13cm x D 8cm (10" x 5" x 3")
  • Paño y piedra
    Paño y piedra,
    quartz
    23cm x 18cm x 18cm (9" x 7" x 7")
  • Lametazo
    Lametazo,
    morceña stone
    37cm x 34cm x 16cm (15" x 13" x 6")
  • Piedra blanda
    Piedra blanda,
    granite
    30cm x 28cm x 14cm (12" x 11" x 6")
  • Loncha
    Loncha,
    quartz
    16cm x 13cm x 12cm (6" x 5" x 5")
  • Paquete
    Paquete,
    quartz
    14cm x 12cm x 9cm (6" x 5" x 4")
Exhibitions
Studio shots
Biography

López studied art at Escola de Canteiros University and has since exhibited regularly across Europe and recently in Australia. He has been represented by Cadogan since 2021.

 

 

 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021   'Unconventional Illusions', C. Gallery, Melbourne
2018   'Pedra Filosofal', MARCO, Vigo 
2017   'Pedras Vivas', Galeria La Catedral, Lugo
2014   'Lignolitos', Galeria Monty4, A Coruña 
2012   'Gallaecia Petrea', Museo de Galicia, Santiago
2009   'Tres en Raia', Galeria Metro, Santiago

 

 
Press