Former local sculptor’s “Moonscape” to be installed in Rockport Center for the Arts’ Sculpture Garden

Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today announced it is acquiring a granite work by internationally recognized sculptor Jesús Moroles. Moonscape (2014) will be added to eight other works to be displayed in the Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, part of the new 1.2-acre RCA campus slated for a December public opening.

Made possible through a generous contribution from Riki Rushing and Allen Gilmer to honor Bernice Bohman, Rushing's grandmother, Moonscape stands just over 6 feet tall and weighs 1,400 pounds, featuring a circular 41-inch diameter artistic interpretation of the moon carved from Dakota granite, mounted on a 32-inch high rectangular black granite base. Sculpted by Moroles in Rockport in 2014 before his untimely death the following year, the piece has been exhibited in numerous shows and locations throughout the Southwest, including Granite – 7,300Lbs, PDNB Gallery, Dallas (Feb.-Aug. 2014); Texas Abstract Traveling Exhibition (October 2014); Wade Wilson Gallery, Santa Fe, N.M.; Abacus Restaurant, Dallas; and Chinatown Restaurant, Austin, Texas.

“Jesús was a talented sculptor with an amazing spirit,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “His untimely passing due to an automobile accident was a shock to the art world and to Rockport, the community he called home. We are so pleased to be able to showcase his striking pieces, in the form of sculptures along with five of his granite benches that will also be part of the new RCA sculpture garden. An enduring testament to his creative genius.”  

Known for his monumental granite sculptures, The Corpus Christi native wanted viewers not only to observe his work but also to touch the different surfaces. Using diamond saws to cut the stone, creating both polished and natural granite surfaces in his pieces, Moroles described his work as a "harmonious coexistence” and a "discussion" of how man interacts with nature.

“I am honored and very fortunate to have worked with my brother for 28 years prior to his passing in 2015,” said Suzanna Moroles. “Moroles Art Co. strives to protect, preserve and keep alive Jesús Moroles' prolific legacy, and my partner Kurt Kangas and I are proud to be fulfilling our mission to conserve the Moroles art collection.”

In 2007, Moroles was awarded the Texas Medal of the Arts, and in 2008, he received the National Medal of the Arts, considered the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government. More than 2,000 of his works are held in public and private collections in the United States, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland, including corporate offices, museums, and public displays such as CBS Plaza in New York City; the Smithsonian American Art Museum; Museum of Contemporary Art in Osaka, Japan; Dallas Museum of Art; Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth; and Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Growing up, Moroles was a student in the Dallas Independent School District, and in 2021, the district honored him by renaming the elementary school he attended Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard, now an arts magnet school with opportunities for students to pursue visual arts, dance, music, and theater.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: 

Moonscape Dimensions
6' 1/8" H x 41 3/4" W x 20" D
Top circular dimensions: 40 1/8" H x 41 3/4" W x 7 1/2" D
Bottom base dimensions: 32" H x 20" W x 12" D
Total weight: 1,400 lbs.