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."
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Corte Vertical , 2009stone35cm x 21cm x 28cm (14" x 8" x 11")
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Dedo de Dios, 2023granite34cm x 23cm x 11cm (13" x 9" x 4")
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Recorte de Piel, 2021granite37cm x 31cm x 13cm (15" x 12" x 5")
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Sin Título, 2017granite65cm x 45cm x 27cm (26" x 18" x 11")
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Sin título, 2008stone30cm x 30cm x 25cm (12" x 12" x 10")
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Sin título,granite and iron oxideH 25cm x W 13cm x D 8cm (10" x 5" x 3")
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Paño y piedra,quartz23cm x 18cm x 18cm (9" x 7" x 7")
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Lametazo,morceña stone37cm x 34cm x 16cm (15" x 13" x 6")
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Piedra blanda,granite30cm x 28cm x 14cm (12" x 11" x 6")
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Loncha,quartz16cm x 13cm x 12cm (6" x 5" x 5")
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Paquete,quartz14cm x 12cm x 9cm (6" x 5" x 4")
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 |
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José Manuel Castro López | Colossal | Article
Kate Mothes, Colossal, October 22, 2024 -
London’s Cadogan Gallery Has a New Flagship Space | Article | Hypebeast
Shawn Ghassemitari, Hypebeast, October 9, 2024 -
La Cadogan Gallery déménage | Article | Le Quotidien de l'Art
Jade Pillaudin, Le Quotidien de l'Art , October 9, 2024 -
Cadogan Gallery opens new space with group exhibition | Articile | Nigerian Tribune
Akintayo Abodunrin, The Nigerian Tribune, October 6, 2024 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | YELLOWTRACE AUSTRALIA
Yellowtrace Australia , October 26, 2021 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
Stephen Todd, October 7, 2021 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | OBJECTS MAGAZINE ITALY
Alessia Cortese, Objects Magazine Italy, March 5, 2021 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | IGNANT ART MAGAZINE BERLIN
Devid Gualandris , Ignant Art Magazine Berlin , February 10, 2021 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | JOURNAL OF DESIGN FRANCE
Journal of Design France, October 27, 2020 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | COLOSSAL
Christopher Jobson, Colossal , October 26, 2020 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | MY MODERN MET
Emma Taggart , My Modern Met , October 24, 2020 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | THE DAILY MAIL
Hannah Al-Othman, The Daily Mail , March 1, 2017 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | COLOSSAL
Christopher Jobson, Colossal, December 13, 2016 -
JOSÉ MANUEL CASTRO LÓPEZ | VICE
Anya Tchoupakov, VICE , January 19, 2016