Sergio Bustamante (Mexican, b.1949)

Sculptures

Who was sculptor Sergio Bustamante?

Sergio Bustamante is a Mexican artist and sculptor best known for his colorful surrealist papier-mache, bronze, and mixed media sculptures. A world traveler, Bustamente has lived in Amsterdam, Mexico, and the United States. His art is inspired by his favorite science fiction writing from his childhood as well as the art of his native Mexico. After years abroad, he established a formal workshop to teach and promote art in Tlaquepaque, Mexico in 1975 -- it is still operational today. 

Many of his sculptures are built to be interactive. His piece, In Search of Reason (date not given), is 60 feet high, with a ladder that visitors are encouraged to climb. He also has art installed at the Guadalajara Zoo, the fountains of Puerto Vallarta, and other culturally significant spaces in Mexico. He is currently represented by the Meyer Gallery East, based out of Sante Fe, New Mexico. 

What kind of art does Sergio Bustamante make?

Sergio Bustamante makes surreal, sculptures in a variety of mediums. Playful and dream-like, there are a number of recurring characters that Bustamante returns to again and again: humans with fish heads, the man in the moon, women shrouded in large dresses. If the word dream comes up again and again, it is only because this is the best way to understand his art. Overwhelmingly, Bustamante’s work feels like a child at play -- searching some inner-depth, but with the whimsical nature of a sunny afternoon infused into every piece. 

How did sculptor Sergio Bustamante get started?

Sergio Bustamante was born in a small town in Mexico to vegetable farmers in the late 1940s. The young artist’s imagination was sparked daily by the folk art that surrounded him, but also by the amazing art history of Mexico, by the writings of Jules Verne and the arid landscape of Northern Mexico. He enrolled at the University of Guadalajara, fully intending to become an architect, but when those jobs didn’t materialize, he moved on to a career as a full-time artist. He moved to Amsterdam in the early 1970s, to learn about painting and design. It was this experience that Bustamante credit’s for much of his success. He returned to Mexico in 1975 to open his workshop and studio in Tlaquepaque. 

How much are Sergio Bustamante sculptures worth?

Some Sergio Bustamante pieces can be had for a few hundred dollars, but most are sold for around a thousand dollars at auction. His highest price ever commanded at auction was for a bronze sculpture, Untitled (date not given) which sold for $7,000 on February 4th, 2017. It is a typical Bustamante, a bronze bust that features a woman who has butterflies instead of hair. Bustamante’s work is beautiful and strange, one-of-a-kind in ways that often aren’t always in this price range for sculptures. Collectors should be on the look-out when one becomes available.

Where to buy Sergio Bustamante sculptures for sale?

See works for sale below. Why buy from Heritage? Art buyers feel confident because our experts know the market and put careful valuations on artwork for sale. We make the bidding process easier to help you expand your art collection.

How to value Sergio Bustamante sculptures?

The best way to value art is to compare past auction prices for similar works. View past sale prices below. When you’re ready to sell, contact Heritage Auctions to request an auction estimate of the likely selling price at auction. If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning or insurance, please contact our Appraisal Services department.