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Café Pasqual’s Gallery is excited to announce an exhibition of new paper mache work by Rick Phelps entitled, “It’s Only a Paper Moon”. Mr. Phelps’ sculpted pieces employ everyday found paper, and recycled items.  His subjects range from a gargantuan profusion of flowers, a chimpanzee, a “box turtle”, a prairie dog village, and a “cowboy riding a bomb” piñata.  His exuberant work is at once humorous and thought-provoking. 

In Ricks’ own words… “I once read that the Chinese word for “paper” is the root word for both “civilization” and “bureaucracy.”  Our material culture is built at the expense of the lives of countless trees and by the exploitation of people, animals and the earth Herself.  It hurts!  The by-products of a system (any organic organization) are said to be indicative of the system’s health (ours has chronic diarrhea).”

Recent shows include Donkey Gallery in Albuquerque, Salon Mar Graffe in Tesuque, and the Annual Recycle Arts Fesitval in Santa Fe. Currently, his works are displayed in Santa Fe at Todos Santos Chocolates and Confections, and Café Pasqual’s dining room.