Bidspirit auction | MARIO SANCHEZ, ”GARCIA'S ARMY”

MARIO SANCHEZ, ”GARCIA'S ARMY” - ”Garcia's Army”, an original woodblock relief by listed artist, Mario Sanchez. Signed lower right and being offered at auction for the first time. Purchased directly from the artist in Key West. This original woodblock measures in the frame, 17.75'' H x 31.75'' W. Garcia's Army is also published in book, ”Mario Sanchez: Better Than Ever” by Nance Frank. This book is celebration of the life and work of Key West artist Mario Sanchez with 55 full-color reproductions of his relief carvings. The artwork description in the book is as follows:  Garcia's Army: The man and woman seated on porches at opposite sides of this intaglio look on in astonishment as the pregnant Senora Garcia pushes a pram loaded with triplets, following in the wake of her other eight children, all boys. Her stoic expression seems to tell us that she's endured surprise and disapproval. At the far right, the equally stoic Tiberia, an ”honest hustler” - so-called because he worked hard and was never known to gossip or cheat - pushes his cart filled with bananas, papayas, and other fruits and vegetables. Regarded as one of the leading folk artists of the 20th century, Mario Sanchez (1908-2005) was born in Key West, the descendant of Cuban immigrants with connections to the cigar industry. Drawing inspiration from the Gatoville neighborhood where he was raised, Sanchez carved nostalgic scenes of the cultural diversity of his island home. The woodcarvings, or intaglios, are a visual feast filled with the music, people, smells, and emotions of Key West during simpler times when cars and tourists did not infuse the streets. Institutional collectors of his work include the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Key West Art & Historical Society. This work of art comes with a discretionary reserve.