great wall art

The cool moon tempers his ardor as the sun declares his love. Depicting a romantic, cosmic kiss, J. Blas designs a colorful wall sculpture. Themes of duality – good and bad, light and dark, sun and moon, day and night – appear throughout ancient Mexican thought.

Swaying and dancing to a hypnotic tune, Kokopelli abandons himself to the rhythms of his music. His long hair blows in the breeze as he pipes a plaintive melody on his flute. J. Blas sculpts the legendary deity in elaborate detail. He first cuts metal sheets and hammers them into three-dimensional shape. Welded together, they are adorned with airy cut-out work and finished with lead-free paint.

Kokopelli dates back to pre-historic times; regarded as a deity, he is usually depicted with a humped back, playing a flute. Ancient legends suggest Kokopelli was a Toltec trader who traveled from central Mexico to the United States' southwestern deserts and mountains, where he is featured in the form of rock art dating thousands of years. Kokopelli played his flute to announce his arrival and according to Pueblo legends, he carried seeds, babies and blankets in his hump which he offered to the maidens he seduced.

To the Hopi, Kokopelli plays his flute to draw heat from the Earth and thus make the seeds grow. His name derives from Koko ("wood") and pilau ("hump"). Kokopelli is believed to be present whenever life comes forth from seed – plant or animal.

The shape of a splendid sun with sunlight tendrils is featured in the center of this wall cross, decorated with excellent openwork designs on the ends. Designed by Guatemalan artisan Byron Toscano, the antiqued iron cross is inspired by Christian traditions.

J. Blas proffers a great Mexican welcome with hummingbirds and a bouquet of colorful flowers. Blas works with iron, masterfully creating a three dimensional plaque featuring "Welcome" in wood over fiberglass.