‘Peso Neto’: Luis Varela-Rico’s Sculptures of Unyielding Power and Presence
By Laura Henkel / Photography by Krystal Ramirez
In the heart of Las Vegas, Luis Varela-Rico is sculpting a legacy rooted in centuries of cultural heritage while embracing the tools and technologies of today. His latest exhibition, “Peso Neto,” invites us to reflect on the weight of tradition, identity and progress. With each metal form, Varela-Rico masterfully blends his Mexican ancestry with modern industrial techniques, creating sculptures that speak to his heritage’s resilience and contemporary art’s future. This exhibition at Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center goes beyond the visual—it’s a visceral homage to the craftsmanship, cultural reverence and the narratives that shape the Mexican and Indigenous communities in both the past and present.
Luis Varela-Rico and his 5,500-pound metal skull sculpture, “Peso Neto.” Image by Krystal Ramirez
Varela-Rico’s signature ability to transform cold, hard materials into fluid, almost organic shapes is a testament to his technical prowess and artistic sensitivity. The monumental sculpture, fresh from Burning Man 2024, is at the heart of his exhibition, a massive work constructed from brass, steel, and stained glass. The piece, weighing 5,500 pounds, looms solemnly, evoking reverence and awe. The precision and scale of this work demand that the viewer physically move around it, each angle offering a different experience as light plays off its metal surfaces, and the forms change with shifting perspectives.
The centerpiece, a monumental skull adorned with radiating steel spikes, recalls the grandeur of Mexican iconography, while the use of stained glass offers a delicate contrast to the ruggedness of the materials. There is a certain poetic juxtaposition in how Varela-Rico approaches his craft: the meticulous craftsmanship evident in the assembly of metal components, yet the forms feel spontaneous as if they emerged naturally from the earth. The combination of heavy industrial processes such as CNC, welding and CAD with aesthetic elements drawn from Mesoamerican cultures deepens the work’s narrative layers, inviting us to explore themes of life, death and legacy.
“Peso Neto” exhibition at Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center. Image by Krystal Ramirez
While Varela-Rico’s art celebrates his Mexican heritage, his work also acknowledges broader Indigenous influences. His sculptures reference the cultural practices and symbols of Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Aztecs and Maya, but they also evoke a sense of connection to the Indigenous peoples of North America. By doing so, he bridges ancient cultural traditions with modern artistic expressions, creating a visual dialogue between past and present. This dynamic interplay challenges the viewer to consider the continuity of Indigenous traditions in contemporary art and the role of modern technology in preserving cultural heritage.
Viewing this piece in person at Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center allows you to witness the tension between traditional and modern techniques, an integral part of Varela-Rico’s vision.
Artist Luis Varela-Rico and his steel sculptures: Large Corten Vessel 1 and 2. Image by Krystal Ramirez
His works aren’t simply static sculptures; they’re living objects that breathe with cultural heritage and personal identity, reflecting his Mexican roots and life in Las Vegas. The visceral experience of walking beneath and around these sculptures is akin to stepping into a time capsule, as Varela-Rico has described, allowing us to reflect on growth, progress and transformation.
Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center is the ideal venue for this exhibition, aligning with its mission of cultural revitalization and decolonization through the arts. As you enter the gallery, you’re enveloped by a space designed to uplift underrepresented voices, challenge colonial narratives and foster community. The artists and the work displayed here, including Varela-Rico’s “Peso Neto,” emphasize the importance of cultural identity, personal history and collective memory. There’s a profound connection between the artist’s sculptures and the gallery’s mission, offering visitors not just an art exhibition but an opportunity for introspection and cultural engagement.
The skeletal motif, often associated with Día de los Muertos, is woven throughout “Peso Neto.” However, Varela-Rico gives it new life through his use of contemporary materials and industrial techniques. One of the most striking pieces in the exhibition is a hanging skull framed by marigold flowers and a lattice-like structure. It evokes both the fragility of human life and the strength of the cultural traditions that honor the dead. The metallic texture and carved forms speak to the process of deconstruction and reconstruction, mirroring the way cultures can adapt, evolve and survive even under the pressure of modernization.
The exhibition invites us to engage with the physical objects and broader questions about the intersection of tradition and innovation. Varela-Rico’s work reminds us that progress isn’t linear; it’s cyclical, much like the evolution of his artistic identity, which is ever-shifting as he draws on his heritage, modern technology and personal experiences.
“Peso Neto” visitors are encouraged to explore the works from various perspectives. The play of light on the metallic surfaces, the intricate details and the sense of scale can only truly be appreciated in person. While the images may give you a glimpse into Varela-Rico’s intricate world, standing before these massive sculptures brings a sense of physicality and presence that is impossible to replicate in digital form.
If you want to experience art that speaks to the present and the past, challenges your notions of form and function, and connects deeply to cultural roots while forging new paths, “Peso Neto” is a must-see. Varela-Rico’s work embodies the essence of Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center’s mission of fostering cultural knowledge and creating spaces for dialogue through the arts.
Plan a visit to Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center before “Peso Neto” closes on Oct. 26. The artist talk and closing reception on Oct. 18 will offer a deeper dive into Varela-Rico’s creative process, a chance to hear from the artist himself about the evolution of his time capsules and an opportunity to reflect on how his work connects to larger conversations about culture, identity, and artistic progress. Don’t miss the chance to see these breathtaking sculptures in person, to feel the weight of their significance, and to witness firsthand the merging of past and future through art.
Exhibit Location: Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center, 1331 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Exhibition Dates: Through Oct. 26
Gallery Hours: Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.
Artist Talk & Closing Reception: Oct. 18, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; the artist talk begins at 7 p.m.