Mary P Williams

Manuel Lince

Manuel moves easily between the two cultures … Mexico and America.  He taught himself the art of carving wooden masks and entered the MFA program at UTPA. He already has a couple of graduate degrees.  As I asked him the same questions I have asked others he came up with the following answers :

1. What is your definition of success as an artist ?
“I cannot answer that question .”
2.  What is your definition of a successful work of art ?
” A successful piece is one which, when you see it, you must stop and look.”
3.  At what age did you know that you wanted to be an artist ?
” I began to draw at age 12 and have continued since … I had a responsible job for years and that entailed many meetings. Of course I “doodled” constantly in those meetings.  It improved my skill and kept me interested. I went to a woodcarver in Mexico to train.  He gave me a piece of wood to carve and I worked on it until satisfied. Days later,  when it was time to leave,  he told me that it was custom to go up into the mountain to find a tree and replace the wood I had used.  Up we went … him hustling along and me trying to keep up. We got near the top and secured a few pieces … at which point he said I would have to give him three to replace one.  Three for one!  I staggered down the mountain with them on my back as he sauntered down carrying his easily.  Good wood to carve is hard to find.  I learned a lot.”

In response to a homework assignment Manuel Lince bought some cowhides in Mexico, carved a wooden mold,  and made two masks. Rena Vela is wearing one …

Manuel Lince Mask I, modeled by Rena Vela

and the other was donned by Manuel himself.

Manuel Lince Mask II

Manuel contemplates his carving of the crucified Christ

… Manuel had never carved a figure before. I thought the blemishes in the wood really emphasised the suffering and destruction of the flesh the subject required.

Crucified Christ close-up