Arte y Amistad: Victor Goler

Gustavo Victor Goler
(b. 1963) St Dorothy 1999

Gustavo Victor Goler has been at the forefront of innovation in subject matter, iconography, and technique since he became a Spanish Market artist in 1988. "I have always pushed the envelope," he says. From an early age he was immersed in the family business of art conservation and learned the techniques of sculpture and carving. Goler did not initially plan to be an artist, but adds "I always made things and I always had a great work ethic." In high school he began to do "freelance" artwork including decorative painting and furniture.

Like fellow artist John Gallegos, Goler earned his degree from the Colorado Institute of Art. Always researching, Goler has earned a reputation for his sculpture and paintings of obscure saints such as his Saint Dorothy featured in Arte y Amistad. The legend states that Dorothy (the patroness of brides, florists and gardeners) refused to marry and was sentenced to death. On the way to her beheading, a man asked her for some fruit and flowers from "her heavenly garden." After her death a child appeared to the man and offered him apples and roses. Upon eating one of the apples, he converted to Christianity and was later executed.

In addition to his bultos and retablos, this award-winning artist has mastered other media including lithographs. Goler has also consulted on and lectured about santero techniques and history at notable venues including the Smithsonian Institution.
In high school Goler started buying broken Indian pots so that he could put them back together. In addition to pottery, he collects santos and old New Mexican and Mexican furniture.

Saint Dorothy
1999
sugar pine, handmade gesso, watercolors, piñon sap varnish

Selections from the Diane and Sandy Besser Collection of Contemporary Hispanic Art