Artist: Sebastián
Artwork: Espiga Naranja
Sebastián (born Enrique Carbajal González on November 16, 1947) is a Mexican sculptor best known for his monumental works of steel and/or concrete in both Mexico and abroad. These include several “gate” sculptures such as the Gran Puerta a México in Matamoros, Tamaulipas but his most famous sculpture is the “Caballito” located in downtown Mexico City. His works are found in various countries outside Mexico, such as Japan where two are now used as city symbols.
He adopted the pseudonym Sebastián after the painting of Saint Sebastian by Botticelli.
He has been inducted as an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (1983), a member of the Academia Nacional de las Artes, the Salón de la Plástica Mexicana and the Legión de Honor Nacional de México. (1987). He has also received honorary doctorates from the Universidad Autónoma de La Laguna in Torreón (2003), the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (2004), the City College of New York, the Universidad Autónoma de Colima and the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (2011)
The work "Espiga Naranja" was donated to Venice International University by the Embassy of Mexico in Italy on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Italy.
The Ambassador of Mexico to Italy H.E. Amb. Carlos Garcia de Alba, the President of VIU Amb. Umberto Vattani and the artist were present at an unveiling ceremony at VIU on April 12, 2024.
