Melvin Sandoval

Sand-oh-val

(1963- )

Son of James Sandoval, great grandson of Frederico Garcia. Maternal grandson of Lupe and Marietta Velasquez. Melvin who is San Felipe/Zuni descent, creates elegant carvings that typically depict badgers, bears, horned toads, mountain lions, moles, and birds. His minimalist designs distill the essence of the animal in an unadorned, stylized aesthetic, often forgoing details like eyes. Preferring matte stones such as sandstone, pipestone, alabaster, and dolomite, Melvin leverages subtle color variations to add depth and texture to his sleek, low-lying creatures, which are sometimes posed in a seemingly defensive crouch, lending a quiet drama to the pieces.

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