Gene & Rebecca Tobey “Lobo” – Monumental Southwestern Modern Ceramic Sculpture

The Great Collaboration: A Masterwork in Ceramic This magnificent, large-scale ceramic sculpture, titled “Lobo,” is a premier example of the celebrated twenty-year artistic partnership between Gene Tobey (1945–2006) and Rebecca Tobey (b. 1948). Created during their “Great Collaboration” in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this piece embodies the Tobeys’ signature “Southwestern Modernist” aesthetic—a seamless blend of ancient animal forms with contemporary abstract design.

Artistic Technique & Symbolic Depth Standing an impressive 25 inches tall and 38 inches wide, “Lobo” is a sculptural statement about the dominant and majestic personality of the wolf. The piece features a complex, multi-layered surface treatment:

• Sgraffito Storytelling: The hand-pebbled grey matte surface serves as a canvas for intricate sgraffito drawings—a technique where designs are meticulously scratched into the clay to reveal stories of other animals, mountain ranges, and celestial symbols.

• Reticulated Design: Strategic pierced cutouts (reticulation) throughout the body create a “story within a story,” revealing a vibrant, high-gloss deep red glazed interior that adds dramatic depth and a bold contrast to the exterior.

• Polychrome Accents: Raised, colorful geometric shapes and stylized figures are superimposed on the frame, imbuing the work with a spiritual intensity that is both sophisticated and primal.

Collector’s Pedigree & Provenance The Tobey design is instantly recognizable and held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the White House and the Vatican. This authentic collaborative work is hand-signed “Tobey ©” on the leg, marking it as a true joint creation from one of the most influential duos in American Southwestern art.

Specifications

• Artists: Gene & Rebecca Tobey

• Title: Lobo (Wolf)

• Medium: Polychrome Polished & Matte Ceramic

• Dimensions: Approx. 25″ H x 38″ W x 15″ D

• Weight: Approximately 22 lbs

• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with original vibrant glazes

• Signature: Hand-incised “Tobey ©” on leg

Artist Bio