Sculptor Felipe Archuleta with his giraffe creation, created in 1973. Courtesy photo
MOIFA News:
The Museum of International Folk Art is undertaking the restoration of this giraffe created by sculptor Felipe Archuleta in December of 1973.
Of the many imaginative animals he created (some currently on view at MOIFA in the exhibition Wooden Menagerie: Made in New Mexico) this giraffe is one of his first large-scale exotic animals.
Since its donation to the museum in 1973 by the Atrium Orbis Gallery Corporation of Santa Fe, this magnificent sculpture has brought smiles to thousands of museum visitors. Now, more than 40 years after the giraffe’s creation, the wear and tear of exhibitions and travel have left their mark on this important sculpture.
The Museum of International Folk Art is raising funds to assemble a team of conservators and to consult with Felipe Archuleta’s descendants, including his grandson sculptor Ron Archuleta RodrÃguez, so that the giraffe can stand tall again.
Through its first Indiegogo campaign, the museum seeks $10,000 to fund the restoration of this American cultural treasure and to return this giraffe to his wooden menagerie patiently waiting for him in the museum collections. The link to the campaign is,www.internationalfolkart.
The giraffe will be on view outside the Wooden Menagerie gallery beginning Nov. 24 through the run of the exhibition Feb. 15, 2015.
Wooden Menagerie: Made in New Mexico, is one of the most far-reaching exhibits of New Mexico animal wood carvings featuring 28 New Mexican sculptors with 107 artworks.
