Sebastián, Mexican Master

Bentley Gallery hosts an exhibition

by Sebastián, an internationally

renowned sculptor, designer and

architect from Mexico,

in cooperation with the Mexican

Consulate in Phoenix. 

Born Enrique Carbajal González in 1947, early in his career he adopted the pseudonym Sebastián after the painting of Saint Sebastian by Botticelli. He is best known for his monumental sculptures in steel and concrete in urban settings, of which he has done over 200 in various parts of the world. A self-taught artist, Sebastián is also a person of science. His extraordinary ability to confront mathematical abstractions and geometric relationships and resolve and transform them into three-dimensional works of art has captivated audiences for more than four decades. He approaches art with the understanding that geometry in not something inherent in nature, it is some-thing the mind imposes on nature. Because he is an artist, Sebastián doesn't subject his geometries to logic, but to that of poetry.

   Gate to the Camino Real in Colima

   urban sculpture sited in Colima, Mexico

   painted iron, 65.6 feet

The exhibition at Bentley Gallery is being mounted in cooperation with the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix and is the artist's first in Arizona. All of Sebastián's works of art will be for sale during the exhibition and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Mexican Consulate and their cultural programs.

Bentley Calverley: “We are pleased to be bringing Sebastián's work to Arizona. Though his works are internationally acclaimed and are sited all around the world, he is relatively unknown in the U.S. – a fact I find both surprising and lamentable. Bentley Gallery is working toward developing an exchange of artists and artwork between Mexico and the U.S. We are engaged with the Mexican Consulate to create "a porous art border," so that people in the Valley and beyond can experience exceptional works of art by Mexican artists, and eager Mexican audiences can have the opportunity to view works by American artists. Partnering with the Mexican Consulate could expedite that arrangement. It is extremely difficult to ship artwork across the border, in both directions. Exhibiting Sebastián's outstanding sculpture at Bentley Gallery is a first step in creating opportunities for talented American and Mexican artists to be seen beyond the borders of their countries.”