Artisans of Trabajo Rústico

Volume 19 in the Rio Grande/Río Bravo: Borderlands Culture and Traditions series. Hardcover with dust jacket. Published by Texas A&M University Press. 2021. By Patsy Pittman Light. Photographs by Kent Rush.

As documented in Patsy Pittman Light’s award-winning book, Capturing Nature, Mexican artisan Dionicio Rodríguez arrived in San Antonio in the 1920s and created concrete bus stop shelters, park benches, footbridges, and other structures in the style known as faux bois, or trabajo rústico. Following on the success of that previous work, Light, with photographer and artist Kent Rush, presents a comprehensive look at the legacy of Rodríguez as reflected in the works of those whom he trained, mentored, or influenced.