Enrique Alférez

Enrique Alférez (1901–1999) was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and best known as a sculptor in the art deco style. At age eight he began helping his father carve religious statutes for the church. He ran away at age 12 and was conscripted into the ongoing Mexican revolutionary forces. Enrique spent some time in the army of Pancho Villa in the Mexican Revolution before coming to the United States.

At about 22, he made his way to El Paso, Texas where he found work as a photographer’s assistant.

He studied with Lorado Taft in Chicago, Illinois in the 1920s, then from 1929 on lived in New Orleans. His sculptures and reliefs adorn many parks, buildings, and landmarks in New Orleans and south Louisiana. He created the statue "Molly Marine" which is the very first statue in the United States of a woman in military uniform.

Alférez painted an official portrait of Huey P. Long (who, Alfarez revealed decades later, he loathed).

His fountain at New Orleans Lakefront Airport is a well-known local landmark. He made reliefs for several buildings, including the Charity Hospital Building in New Orleans and the Palmolive Building in Chicago.

Enrique Alférez with his work 'King Solomon'

Alférez remained active into his later years, both as a working artist and an art teacher.

Alférez by Kinzey Branham

Thanks, Andy