THE RELIEF SERIES

ARTIST STATEMENT - Where History and Experimentation Meet!

This series is inspired by the drama, detail, and ornament found in relief art (a sculptural technique where figures remain attached to a solid background) across many traditions, from the narrative carvings of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Mesoamerica to the decorative flourishes of 18th-century French Rococo. I draw inspiration from these histories, but my goal is not to recreate them. Instead, I utilize modern tools to reshape their language into my own.

Each piece begins as a digital drawing, which I translate into 3D form and print. I then finish it by hand with painting and aging techniques, aiming for work that feels both ancient and modern, rich yet minimal, structured yet alive.

What draws me to this practice is the tension it embodies: old and new, digital and handmade, playful and permanent. Each work is a study of time and transformation, inviting viewers to see tradition differently and to find meaning in the space between memory and reinvention.

AVAILABLE AT IN-PERSON EVENTS OR BY REQUEST | COMING TO MY ETSY SHOP EARLY 2026

Want to bring one of these sculptures home? Keep an eye on our social media to see where we'll be popping up for in-person events, or shoot me an email at Hello@carlosvargas.me with the subject line "RELIEF PURCHASE REQUEST."