 I, Pablo Flores, was walking in the mountains about four years ago when I came across an old dump site. The New Mexico light was just right for me to see something special in it.
I was looking at an old doll house and saw the beauty of the rust and somewhat painted surfaces of this 1950s nursery relic. "Something needs to be done with this", was my thought, never realizing that that day was the beginning for me of a while new found/redeemed art, made from discarded materials.
I began making crosses from the things I unearthed, from tin cans, doors, wheels and children's toys to old doll houses and animal skulls. My crosses and retablos, made from barn wood and discarded treasures, total over 1,000 pieces to date.
It is how I see the role of Christ. I take discarded materials, found, unwanted objects. They are like discarded lives. I hang them on a cross and turn them into something of worth and beauty...just like discarded lives that are taken and placed in the hands of God will become worthy and beautiful. Just like my life.
I was the owner and operator of 'Crossroad Crosses de Taos', a little gallery in Taos where I sold my homemade creations, until the September 11, 2001 disaster. I am now in the process of beginning a home based church, so that I can benefit the Taos community and the surrounding areas. Needless to say, the two vocations blend rather nicely, both giving Glory to God. I became an artist about the same time I became a minister. In my mind, it is hard to separate the two.
More of a folk artist, I hope people buy my wares because of the message they contain, whether the crosses are shaped from tin, weathered wood, broken bones, feathers, or antiquated doll houses. They all tell the same story: "Jesus saves. ... Jesus saves us from the scrap heap".
Today I am thankful, first to God who spared my life, then to my family for their support: my wife, Nadine, who is the backbone of my ministry and my work, my three children and grandchildren (3 boys and one girl).
Also, special thanks to Kathleen Urquhart from Tupelo Gallery and Robert and Holly Cafazzo from Two Graces Gallery and many others who have helped me to achieve my goals in this life.
In addition to my crosses, I make sculptures. Christmas ornaments, and have melded Mexican ex-votos and New Mexican retablos into an art form which I call re-votos.
My goal in life is to continue finding discarded materials and discarded lives and using both to better lives and honor God with the love of art and of humanity for all the rest of my days. Amen.
Thank you.
Pablo Flores
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