Pheonix, Arizonia
Rafael Navarro

Mahogany
ca. 1999
Height: 47 in; Width: 15.5 in Depth: 6.5 in
Other – Sculptures

Inscribed and dated on lower edge: Rafael Navarro G 1999

Mexico City-born Rafael Navarro is a self-taught artist whose works combine surrealism, symbolism, and the influence of Magritte, Picasso, and Frida Kahlo.  He first studied veterinary medicine from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), in Mexico City, but his true passion was always to become an artist.  Navarro’s focus is on painting and sculpture.  He also likes printmaking, metal work and jewelry, but most of his work relates to music, and musical instruments, mainly string instruments, as seen here with his sculpture of mahogany titled ‘Guitar’.

Active in the Phoenix art scene since 1989, Navarro’s work transforms ordinary experiences into metaphors for identity and emotion.  Navarro’s art has been featured in North Valley Magazine and other regional publications.