OSITO DE AGUA is from the series by the artist called ‘MARES PETRÉOS’, which means ‘petrified oceans’. All pieces are directly carved in Jadeite, the more valuable form of Jade. The carving of Jade is extremely difficult, as it is one of the hardest stones to carve.
DETAIL of ‘OSITO DE AGUA’
OSITO DE AGUA
JADE JADEITE SCULPTURE
By JULIO MARTÍNEZ BARNETCHE, 2012
MATERIAL: Jade Jadeite
SIZE: 42 x 33 x 20.5 cm // 16.53” x 12.99” x 8.07”
Jadeite from the Montagua Valley in Guatemala was used by the Olmecs and Mayas. The most highly valued colors of jadeite are the intensely green, translucent species, though traditionally white has been considered the most valuable of the jades by the Chinese already. Other colors, like "Olmec blue" jade, are deep blue-green and have a translucent hue with white flicking. The type of Jadeite Jade is the rarest specimen of Jades.
The artist’s inspiration for this piece are the OSOS DE AGUA, are the WATER BEARS, or in Latin ‘Tardigrades’. They are micro animals found everywhere and are among the most resilient animals known.