b. 1949 -

Sergio Bustamante was born in Sinaloa, Mexico in 1949 and exhibited his work for the first time in Mexico City in 1966. His Mexican folk art sculptures, which are renowned for their surreal, whimsical qualities, often feature animals, celestial beings, human faces, and mythological references. Although papier maché was his primary medium in his early work, he later expanded his artistic practice to include bronze, wood, and clay.

About Sergio Bustamante

• Artist name: Sergio Bustamante


• Alias: Sergio Bustamante


• Profession: Sculptor, painter, jeweler, furniture maker


• Nationality: Mexico

Born in Sinaloa, Mexico in 1949, the artist Sergio Bustamante is best renowned for his sculptures, although he is also a painter. His paintings share the whimsy that dominates his sculptures, in which he combines animals, human faces, celestial beings, and mythological references to surreal effect.

Among Bustamante’s best-known sculptures is Niño-lagarto (Lizard Boy), in which twin moons and alligators symmetrically frame a young boy’s face. The boy’s forehead is an anthropomorphic rendering of the sun, while another alligator rests on his left thigh. As with most of Bustamante’s sculptures, it is glazed and painted.

In 1975, Bustamante founded a group called Estudios, Taller, Familia (Family Workshop Studio) in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco alongside his local contemporaries, showcasing his commitment to nurturing artistic talent within his community.

His 1982 sculpture Rooster stands as a prime example of papercraft, one of the five primary genres of Mexican folk art. The choice of an animal as the subject underscores the essence of Mexican folk art, while also aligning with the broader themes prevalent in much of his oeuvre.

Bustamante studied architecture at the University of Guadalajara, but he ultimately chose to pursue art instead of completing his degree. He first exhibited his work at Mexico City’s Galeria Misrachi in 1966, and in the early 1970s, he studied art in Amsterdam. Papier maché was his primary medium in his early work, but he eventually began working with bronze, wood, and clay. Later, he transitioned to making one-of-a-kind furniture and jewelry.

Related Styles and Movements

• Sculpture


• Jewelry


• Furniture Making


• Papercraft


• Mexican Folk Art


• Surrealism

Highlights and Achievements

• In May 2022, his sculptural fountain Face Mask sold for $8,500 via the Houston auction house Simpson Galleries.

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