Raul De Lara, a sculptor from Ridgewood, Queens, uses wood to create intricate sculptures that reflect on labor and immigration, rooted in his own experiences. His pieces transform mundane household items into artworks that comment on the struggles of invisible workers. Notable works include the Tired Tools series and Soft Chair, reflecting both traditional and contemporary techniques. De Lara's choice of wood signifies his connection to his past, and he skillfully captures time's passage in his material, drawing from diverse sources inspired by his upbringing and artistic influences.
With wood, he says, you can see the passing of time on its skin. No other material shows you that like wood does; it tells its own story.
His series Tired Tools evokes the exhaustion of invisible workers: a broom slouches against a wall; a pitchfork's shaft hangs on a hook like a discarded garment.
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