Exaltacion De San Francisco De Asis 

Curator: Standing before us is a captivating sculpture by Francisco Serra Andrés, titled "Exaltacion De San Francisco De Asis". The primary material is wood. Editor: There's a certain vulnerability in its posture, an invitation almost. And the open palms, it strikes me, could represent surrender or an offering. Curator: The materiality here speaks volumes. The rough-hewn nature of the wood underscores the ascetic lifestyle associated with Saint Francis. The deliberate choice of such a humble material highlights a commitment to poverty and simplicity, rejecting ornate artifice. We should also consider the act of carving itself; the labor-intensive process becomes integral to the meaning. Editor: You are right, there’s a strong sense of humility conveyed through this ruggedness. The simple lines and unpolished surface force us to consider its essential form. Notice how the folds in his robe are suggested rather than meticulously rendered— the formal reduction gives the figure its power. Curator: I think it's vital we consider where the wood was sourced and how that influenced the artwork’s making. It also might reflect the region in which Serra Andres was working and to whom he hoped it would speak. It invites us to explore local economies of craft and networks of exchange in the creation of such religious artifacts. Editor: Yet regardless of the immediate availability of the material, its application conveys a specific meaning. We can easily interpret the figure as a representation of spirituality as it uses earthy, unrefined substance. Also, that patch, carefully sculpted as though the mend has some symbolic weight. Curator: Exactly! Thinking about Serra Andrés himself – how his individual socioeconomic experiences shaped his artistic decisions when taking on sacred themes… Editor: So, we move beyond seeing an iconic figure to understanding its artistic construction? Intriguing. I appreciate the balance of serenity and rugged form this sculpture holds. Curator: A balanced reading then, exploring how the work, in its physicality, also holds traces of social existence, labor and faith, don't you think?