Agustín Parra is currently one of the best-known sculptors, painters, and woodworkers in Mexico. He carves each piece with great skill. His work is present in the Vatican and several countries.
Born in Tepic but raised in Guadalajara, where he emigrated at the age of 12, Parra has been an official supplier to the Holy See since 1998, for which he has done many jobs for three popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
Two life-size nativity scenes are part of the pieces he has created for the Vatican. One is in the Apostolic Palace. The other is in San Juan de Letrán.
He is currently carrying out a third life-size nativity scene for Pope Francis. He will install it in St. Peter Basilica in December.
The carvings and finishes that Agustín Parra makes in his Zapopan workshop transform into unique pieces with a heavenly touch.
Yucatán will receive a couple of pieces carved by the artist. The parishioners of the church of Our Lady of Lebanon commissioned an image of Christ on the cross and another of Saint Charbel as part of the comprehensive renovationthe church is undergoing.
The two sculptures are already on Yucatecan soil. They have already installed the Christ on the altar.
It is a four-meter carved wooden cross on which is the image of Christ, carved in detail, 12.4 feet.
They will unveil the cedar wood sculpture once they complete the work on the temple, as will that of Saint Charbel, 4.5 feet tall.
Parra traveled to Mérida to deliver the pieces and supervise the installation of Christ, who suffered damage to a finger on his hand, which the artist proceeded to repair.
His father was a painter, sculptor, and cabinetmaker who died when Agustín was 7. He remembers how his father’s works disappeared from home when they sold them. He thought that one day he would do a job like that.
His interest in art was such that at the age of 10, he focused on learning it self-taught. He went to the workshops of his father’s friends to help them clean. Although they did not give him lessons per se, he learned many things just by watching them.
Gradually, his work began to be recognized. One day, a representative of the Apostolic Nunciature visited the store that Parra had in Mexico City. It was 1998. He was not in business then, but later, they went to see him in Guadalajara and named him an official supplier to the Vatican.
Agustín Parra is responsible for the altarpiece at the Cathedral of San Antonio, Texas, which features a 45-foot-tall Saint Joseph. He also has worked in South Korea and Costa Rica.
TYT Newsroom
