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©Taruman Corrales
©Taruman Corrales
©Taruman Corrales
©Taruman Corrales
©Taruman Corrales

Luis Alberto Gutiérrez

  • Taller Aescala
  • Leatherworker
  • Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Master Artisan
Luis Alberto Gutiérrez Leatherworker
©Taruman Corrales

Bringing leather to life

  • • Alberto has been working with leather since 1978
  • • The leather figures he makes seem to interact with the observer
  • • Uruguay and its customs are part of his subject matter

Luis Alberto Gutiérrez has been moulding leather for almost 45 years and creating costumbrist pieces of his native country, Uruguay. His work has three well-defined lines. The first is what he calls Our Quixotes, or Gauchos, linked to the origins of Uruguay, in which he uses the finest materials. "Here I abound in details and folds, taking advantage of the light and shadow that are generated," he says. "The second is Los Viajeros or Immigrants who arrived in large numbers and from diverse origins to Uruguayan shores in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They arrived with their customs and trades, dispersed and influenced the whole culture of the country. To make them I use the sole, a more rigid leather, looking for more modern and sober pieces." The third is a line of more contemporary pieces. "Here I am looking for symbolism, without being too abstract.".

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Taruman Corrales
  • ©Taruman Corrales
  • ©Taruman Corrales
  • ©Taruman Corrales
  • ©Taruman Corrales
Photo: ©Taruman Corrales
Our Quixotes Series – Guitarreando

These sculptures are made of modelled leather inspired by typical characters of the Uruguayan countryside. Taking advantage of the natural marks and textures of the material, the nature of these characters is reflected clearly.

Photo: ©Taruman Corrales
Our Quixotes Series – Looking ahead

In modelling leather, a noble, natural and distinctive element of Uruguay, and applying different shades of brown predominant in the landscape, Luis Alberto Gutiérrez creates unique pieces that reflect the collective imagination of the region.

Photo: ©Taruman Corrales
Fauna

These pieces are made of a 6 mm thick leather, moulded with water and heat, to represent cows, sheep and horses, in a colourful contemporary aesthetic.

Photo: ©Taruman Corrales
Claw and Tradition

These two footballer figures are made of moulded leather, softened with water and heat. The football tradition is deeply rooted and dear to the Uruguayan people.

Photo: ©Taruman Corrales
Immigrants

Representative work of the migratory phenomenon in Uruguay since the beginning of the 20th century, these leather sculptural pieces are crafted with simplicity. The lines are simple and the characters are diverse, in a wide variety of colours.

Enjoy an experience with Luis Alberto Gutiérrez

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