![39. Bini [in process]cropped](https://jofarbhernandez.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/39-bini-in-processcropped.jpg)
photo: rr jones
Jo Farb Hernández was married to artist Sam Hernández until his sudden death in the fall of 2022. Sam’s work can be found on his website, http://www.samhernandezart.com.
In discussing his own work, he commented:
“I am a New World man. Although ancestrally I am Spanish/Catalan, these cultural influences have been diffused through a Cuban, Mexican, Californio, and American lens. These influences are evident, although not necessarily primary, in my work. They are balanced by my reflections upon the arts of other tribal/ traditional/indigenous peoples; particularly archetypes of African, South Pacific, Meso-American, and Native American traditions. Historically, all are, to some degree, cultures that have melded with the Hispanic world.
“Most recently spending extended periods of time in Spain, I have found a country at first glance superficially homogeneous, but in actuality diverse in Catalan, Celtic, Basque, Arabic, and Sephardic traditions, among others. I have been directly inspired by the formalist power of handmade objects of daily life as, at the same time, I necessarily approach them tempered by the diverse conceptual resources I have acquired throughout my professional career in much the same way that the Modernists did at the turn of the last century. In recent years I have attempted to tap Asian philosophical disciplines of working methods and adapt more of an egoless, less contrived aesthetic, working in a more stream-of-consciousness manner, as I have also increasingly incorporated Spanish themes and language into my work. Whatever comes, comes: it has become an amalgam of influences from both old and new worlds, balancing both the negative and positive aspects of the interactions resulting from the Conquest and the relationships across the oceans that have fostered such different perspectives. I delineate all of these cultural impressions through a complex formalist aesthetic that fuses these resources into a matrix in which I study, reflect, integrate, and interpret my interest in world cultures, attempting to embrace each unique tradition and distill it through my own unique vision.”
Jo would be pleased to answer any questions about Sam’s art and life.
Jo Farb Hernández 
Hey Sam, I worked for the City of San Jose when we bought you wonderful sculpture fir the convention center.
I left my job in San Jose and moved to Minneapolis for five years and then St Louis. All doing public are.
I keep thinking about your beautiful Alfa’s and just felt compelled to say hi. I’ve had a few Italian cars over the last 20 years, Merak SS, and a few Fiat Abarth’s. But I just bought a new Guilia and love it. Hope you are doing well and say hi to Jo 🙂
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Hi Jo
We saw the article featuring you and your long campaign for Spanish outsider architecture in the NYT. Congratulations!!! Then this evening we looked up Sam and we’re so shocked to read of his sudden death last fall. Deep condolences. It is hard to imagine his vigorous spirit not a part of this world.
Are you still in the hills above Watsonville??? We have relocated to the Carmel Valley not far from Highway 1. Would love to connect when you are in the area. Sounds like much of your time is in Spain. We seem to endlessly gravitate to Italy and plan to be there again in the fall.
Warmest greetings
Gary Smith and David Ligare
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Hi Gary and David,
So nice to hear from you, and thanks for your condolences. It’s been very, very difficult – we were together for 49 years, truly a lifetime. And finally seeing my latest book come out at this time is bittersweet, since he was so supportive all these years…
Yes, would love to see you when we’re both on the same side of the pond. I’m dealing with paperwork in Spain tied to Sam’s death, a true drag. Send me your email and we can keep in better touch.
un abrazo and thanks again for reaching out.
xojo
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Hi Jo,
49 years! That is the same as David and I will have in another week and a half. How can nearly half a century fly by. And now you are flying solo. So sorry. I cannot imagine the complexity of your emotions and then to have to deal with the red tape of EU and Spanish legal systems.
When you return this way do let us know. Be so good to see you and hear more of your amazing research and advocacy of the outsider builders.
A big hug back to you,
Gary
Email is: delmesa98@gmail.com
Phone 831 402 2902
98 Del Mesa Carmel Carmel, CA 93923
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