Homenaje al poeta Jorge Gaitan Duran 1964

This is Ramirez Villamizar's "Homenaje al poeta Jorge Gaitan Duran," and it is made from painted wood. The use of wood in this construction is important. It's not a precious material, but rather one associated with building and utilitarian design. Villamizar takes this humble substance and elevates it through careful craftsmanship. Notice the interplay of positive and negative space, the clean lines, and the subtle curves. The whiteness of the sculpture also speaks volumes. It suggests purity and perhaps even a sense of the monumental. Although the labor involved in its making is not immediately apparent, the careful joinery, the smooth surfaces, and the precision of the cuts would have required considerable skill and time. So, in a way, Villamizar takes something ordinary and transforms it into something extraordinary through the act of making. This approach elevates craft to the level of fine art.