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Julio Estrada - Ceramist, Mixed Media Artist
I first met Julio at his studio on Lincoln Road in the middle
1980's and admired his work. Over the years we became friends and I started photographing him at work in his studio.
I also photgraphed his work and he even showed me some of his "agresivo" work that was not on display in his store-front
studio.
| Ceramic mask 1992 |
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| Cast of Julio's face |
Julio made ceramic vases and other decorative objects, but
the eyecatcher in his studio were the body casts and the way he created works with them using large animal bones.
| Ceramic mask |
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| I found this cast very attractive and photographed it. |
| Sculptures, cermic, bone, cord |
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| Julio often made these talisman sculptures in the early hours of the morning. |
| Body Cast Sculpture - Amazon |
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| This was still greenware when photographed, but I observed that it represented an Amazon warrior |
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| Julio Estrada 1992 |
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| Julio posed for my couch project and later included his nude body in an AIDS art project. |
| Vases 1992 |
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| Julio used a penis design in many vases, cups, and a chair. |
In 1991, Julio told me he had AIDS. Altho much of his work
now dealt with AIDS issues he still maintained his joy of sensuality. Julio was not a nudist, but happily agreed to
pose nude for my couch foto project that was published in Naturally magazine. He told me it gave him the confidence
to do his own performance art exhibit where he was naked in a coffin with the word AIDS painted all over his body.
I last saw Julio in May 93, while visiting from North Florida. He was very ill,
but still alert and enjoyed the visit. I massaged his feet before leaving, a final sensual contact with my friend who
expressed sensuality so well in his art and his thought.
Julio Estrada died on July 12, 1993. He was 32 years old.
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