On January 28th an exciting new art exhibit featuring unique sculptures by Guadalajara artists Oscar Zamarripa and Israel Zzepda will open at Galleria Dante on the south side of Puerto Vallarta with a cocktail reception from 6–10 pm.

Oscar Zamarripa, born in Guadalajara, traveled to the desert of Arizona this summer to collect beautiful specimens of petrified wood. Wood can take fewer than 100 years to petrify, but some of the wood/stone in this collection is as old as 2000 years old from Madagascar.

This collection is mainly of petrified iron wood and mesquite. Petrified wood is most commonly found in Arizona, Madagascar, Brazil and Indonesia. Some of the stones have been painstakingly polished, while others have been left in their rustic form. Oscar always personalizes his "one of a kind," two-sided sculptures with his unique style of "magic realism."

To know Oscar is to love him. He has joy in him, as do his sculptures. You rarely meet anyone who is such a nice person, hard worker and so talented all at the same time. The saying a photo is worth a thousand words, well a smile by Oscar works the same way. Having been creating art for 40 years or more and still coming up with new styles, he is fondly referred to by friends as "Mr. Happy."

Oscar is incredibly enthusiastic and is continually experimenting with new materials and techniques. He is also a master of the ancient technique of estofado, which involves a special paint finish over silver and gold lead that has been applied to finely chiseled wooden used within the Catholic church for centuries.

"For me it is very important not to forget my childhood experiences, so I have recorded them into my sculptures. They are stories that I would like to share with others," he says. Click HERE to see Galleria Dante's incredible new group of Oscar Zamarripa sculptures titled Fantasmas del Desierto.

Israel ZZepda, a native of Guadalajara, has been painting for more than 20 years and has recently expanded his artistic energy to include sculpture, experimental photography and drawing. Zzepda was involved in art workshops during his childhood and after high school he joined a school of visual arts in Guadalajara where he developed a personal style that he defines into the symbolism.

People are also surprised by his quiet, gentle manners, as they would expect him to be of a stronger temperament, possibly even a troubled soul. There is a sensitivity, innocence and a refined discipline about this young man, who just turned 40.

ZZepda's work penetrates into the religious, spiritual, sexual and existential realms, reflecting over the truth and questioning established thinking. He is not afraid to express himself. "The artist is a reflection of daily life. I want to be a chronicle of my time," says Zzepda, who seeks to be honest and reflect his own unique style in all of his work.

A full time art teacher at the age of 19, Zzepda has influenced many young artists, including various members of his own family who are aspiring artists. Over the past few years many of his works have touched on social, political, spiritual, as well as artistic themes.

Zzepda attempts to interpret our human condition and our spiritual dualities. Texture also plays an important role in the idealized handling of the human figure. He can paint photo-realistic portraits, but instead sacrifices a little of the perfection of the human figure, in hopes of revealing the interior of himself.

"We are all good and bad, we construct and we destroy, we are of light and somewhat dark, journeying daily through the streets of the planet," he says. Click HERE to see the works of Israel ZZepda on display at Galleria Dante.

This is a show not to be missed.

Open Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm, Galeria Dante is located at Basilio Badillo #269 in Puerto Vallarta's Romantic Zone. For more information, call (322) 222-2477, or send an email to info(at)galleriadante.com.For more information, click HERE or visit GalleriaDante.com.