Tomás Batista

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Tomás Batista (born 1935) is considered to be Puerto Rico's greatest sculptor. He is the creator of some of Puerto Rico's most famous monuments.

El Monumento al jbaro Puertorriqueño

1 Early years
2 Sculptures
3 Awards and recognition
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Early years

Batista was born and raised in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, a town located in the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico. His family was poor but, despite the fact that his families economic situation wasn't a good one, he did well in school and was able to finish high school. His family recognized that their son had talent as an artist at a young age. After graduating from high school, he moved to San Juan to continue his education., There he met and went to work with the Spanish artist, Angel Botello. In 1955, while working with Botello, Batista discovered that he had a natural talent to work with the restoration process in wood. He learned from Botello the secrets of restoration and how to work with gold on wood. In 1957, he realized his first work of art the Crucifixion. ^[1]

In 1958, Batista was awarded a grant and studied sculptoring at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture under the direction of the Maestro Compostela. Batista also studied art in La Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes La Esmeralda in Mexico, the Guggenhimen in New York and in the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica in Spain. In 1966, he was named director of the Department of Sculpture and Restoration of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture. In 1972, Batista spent a year in Spain, where he created the busts of Eugenio Maria de Hostos and Ramón Emeterio Betances.

[edit] Sculptures

Sculpture of Cacique Hayuya

Among his creations is Monumento al Jíbaro Puertorriqueño (Monument to the Common Puerto Rican Countryman) in Cayey. In this monument Batista reflects the humbleness and hard working nature of the typical Puerto Rican farmer and his family. The monument is located by the Luis A. Ferré Highway in Cayey.^[2]

Among Batista's other works are the sculptures of Julia de Burgos in Carolina, Hayuya in Jayuya, and Rafael Hernández in Bayamón plus many more. In 1993, he unveiled the monument of the Cacique Loguillo which is located in his hometown.^[3]

[edit] Awards and recognition

Amongst his many awards and recognitions is the second place prize in 1965 for his sculpture "Caracol" in a sculpting contest held for young Latin American artists and sponsored by Esso. In 1976, he was named "The Most Outstanding Youngman in Puerto Rico" by the Jr. Camara of Commerence. In 1987 Batista was awarded the Medalla de la Orden del Quinto Centenario meaning: the "Medal of the Order of the 5th Century", in commemoration of Puerto Rico being discovered by Christopher Columbus.^[4]

The City of Bayamón is the sponsor of Batista's work with a permanent exposition in the Salón Batista. In 1991, a permanent exhibition of his works was also established in his native city of Luquillo. Tomás Batista's works of art can also be found in museum's in Puerto Rico, New York and Washington, D.C., and also in some private collections.Tomas Batista currently travels around the island and abroad giving conferences about his art.