Arbol de la Vida
Arbol de la Vida
- Creator: Alfonso Soteno
- Date: 2014
- Location: Boise Airport, 2nd Floor, Rotunda
- Types: sculpture (visual work)
- Materials: ceramic (material), acrylic paint
- Collection: Site-Based Works, Airport Public Art
Árbol de la Vida, or Tree of Life, is a form of traditional Mexican folk-art originating in the city of Metepec, in Central-Eastern Mexico. Fewer than 200 artisan families continue to pass down the skills and tradition of making these elaborate clay sculpture works. Trees of life have various themes, but typically represent the duality of life and death, and the relationship of people and the natural world. Artist Alfonso Soteno is one of the twelve children who learned the traditional art form from their mother, Modesta Fernández Soteno. Their artisanship has brought world recognition to Metepec as one of the most significant cities producing this form of colorful folk art in Mexico.
