April 2006 - Albuquerque NM
Pre-blogging trip and photos.
Sculpture by Lincoln Fox
The Shepard
La Jornada, the combined work of sculptors Sonny Rivera and Betty Sabo. The figure at the forefront is Juan de Oñate, often referred to as ‘The Last Conquistador’. In 1598 he was granted permission by the Spanish to lead an expedition from Mexico into what is now New Mexico and bring ‘civilization and the Word of God’ to the people who had been living there for millenia. Among the tribes of the southwest he is remembered as being the perpetrator of the Acoma Massacre that resulted in the slaughter of over 800 people at the Acoma Pueblo including 300 women and children. Survivors, and that is an apt term in this case, were sold into slavery and some had their right legs cut off. N
Behind Juan de Oñate are these conquistadors and the priest Fray Alonso Martínez who was in charge converting the people of the pueblos, whether they wanted to be or not.
Next are representations of a few of the eighty-three ox carts that brought provisions from Mexico and introduced many food items that have become staples of New Mexico cuisine. The way they are portrayed in the midst of desert plants and native rock adds a great deal of authenticity to the work.
It was not just men who made this journey, but women and children as well, which adds a humanizing element to what otherwise would have been just a brutal conquest.
Most statue and such are usual a famous solider. This tells a story and I like that.
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