Nubia Liliana Méndez “Meditation” Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture, Colombia 05

A striking limited-edition patinated bronze sculpture titled “Meditacion” (Meditation) by Colombian artist Nubia Liliana Méndez Builes (b. 1969), created in 2005 and numbered 16/29.

The sculpture presents a highly stylized female figure caught in a quiet moment of introspection. Her head rests against one hand while the dramatically elongated arms, angular limbs and abstracted body form an almost architectural composition. Méndez reduces the human figure to a sophisticated interplay of curves, planes, negative space and exaggerated proportions, giving the sculpture a powerful presence from every angle.

The warm brown and dark bronze patina accentuates the smooth, sensuous modeling while allowing subtle variations in the bronze surface to remain visible. The work is especially successful in the round: viewed from the front, side or rear, the extended limbs continually redefine the sculpture's silhouette and surrounding negative space.

There is a distinctly Latin American Modernist and contemporary figurative sensibility to the work. Its combination of abstraction and the human form makes it particularly appealing to collectors drawn to the sculpture of Francisco Zúñiga, Fernando Botero, Leonora Carrington, Jorge Marín, Javier Marín, Rufino Tamayo and Ana Mercedes Hoyos, as well as the elongated figurative vocabulary associated with Alberto Giacometti and the organic abstraction of Henry Moore. These artists are referenced for stylistic and cross-collecting context only; this sculpture is an original work by Nubia Liliana Méndez.

Its sculptural geometry also works exceptionally well alongside Mid-Century Modern, Organic Modern, Brutalist, Postmodern, Contemporary, Minimalist and Latin American Modern interiors. At nearly 17 inches high and over 17 inches deep, Meditacion has substantial presence and would make an excellent focal point on a pedestal, console, credenza, cocktail table or library cabinet.

Artist: Nubia Liliana Méndez Builes
Title: Meditacion (Meditation)
Origin: Colombia
Date: 2005
Medium: Patinated bronze
Edition: 16/29
Signature: Incised “Liliany ’05”; numbered 16/29
Dimensions: 16 7/8 in. H x 16 1/2 in. W x 17 3/4 in. D

The bronze displays subtle surface variations and areas of natural patination consistent with the material, age and artistic character of the work.