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Caborca Profiles

Nereo de la Peña

 Nereo Galileo de la Peña Garcia

 

World-renowned painter, sculptor and muralist Nereo Galileo de la Peña Garcia passed away on September 12, 2011 in Caborca, Sonora. He was 68 years old.

Señor de la Peña was born on October 3, 1942 in Mexico City, to parents who were from the state of Nuevo Leon. His first artistic endeavors began when he was 14 years old, painting words and labels on the sides of trucks in the Mexican state of Veracruz. As his talent became more recognized, he was asked to paint information on buildings and storefronts, which led to his realization that he wanted to become a muralist.

De la Peña studied from 1963 to 1965 in Mexico City at “Ecole La Esmeralda,” the National Institute of Fine Arts’ School of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving. He also studied art and advertising at the University of San Diego in San Diego, California. De la Peña also participated in various artists workshops in Trento, Italy, the birthplace of Jesuit Priest Eusebio Francisco Kino, and held exhibitions in Mexico, the United States, Austria, Germany, France, Italy and several South American countries.

He painted more than 100 murals and 300 paintings on canvas in his lifetime, in addition to creating several busts and sculptures. Maestro de la Peña also invented a type of sculpture known as Uniré Clavis, a technique that involves welding together thousands of keys into a single structure. His sculptures, paintings and murals are on display in various locations in Mexico and in other countries.

De la Peña also designed commemorative coins, and his works have been featured on postage stamps. And in addition to the multitude of honors he received over the years, Maestro de la Peña was also given honorary Italian citizenship, and recognized as Creator Emeritus for the Sonoran State Fund for Culture and Arts, of the Sonoran Institute of Culture.

In recent years Maestro de la Peña suffered from the degenerative effects of Parkinson’s disease, which confined him to a wheelchair and diminished his ability to create more art. In a recent interview with the Sonoran state agency Conaculta, he talked about his desire to create an “artistic corridor” in Caborca, to highlight and protect the artistic resources of the region.

Although his dream of creating an artistic corridor was not yet realized, in addition to leaving behind an amazing legacy of beautiful works of art that depict the history, culture and people of Sonora, Maestro Nereo Galileo de la Peña Garcia was an inspiration to generations of artists who continue the fine arts tradition in Caborca, Sonora and elsewhere.

Rest in peace, Maestro.

Mural painted by maestro Nereo Galileo de la Peña García

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Sculpture by by maestro Nereo Galileo de la Peña García, located in Plaza Monumental in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora

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