Monument to Canarian Wrestling

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Art · Subcategory: Sculpture · Year: 1976 · Authors: Santiago Vargas Jorge

[...] is made up of a rectangular stone pedestal that serves as the base for two figures performing a gesture from Canarian wrestling, specifically the levantada. The fact that both are practising this sport gave the artist the opportunity to demonstrate his knowledge of anatomy, with a marked interest in detail, emphasising the musculature both in the torso and the limbs. Meticulousness is therefore the predominant feature of this ensemble, which is also evident in the treatment of the folds of the breeches and in the muscular effort they endure, one lifting the opponent and the other trying to avoid being thrown down. The faces are extremely expressive, showing the concentration of the two wrestlers. The ensemble also stands out for its dynamic character, given by the contorted postures, as if they are trying to overcome weightlessness but are about to fall onto the sand at any moment. Although created by Vargas, this sculptor placed the name of Cirilo Suárez, professor and friend, alongside his signature, inspired by whose sketches he worked.

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