Local Member Creates San Diego Film Festival Award

Local Secretary Ruben Chato Hinojosa is an artist and tribal-enrolled member of the Lipan Apache Nation. Last year, the San Diego Film Foundation chose him as their awards artist for the San Diego Film Festival Award sculpture, and he produced a stunning nalwodi (Apache word for strength or power) golden eagle figure. 

According to Hinojosa, “I am a traditional sculptor, which means I work in the methods of the old masters. I love feeling my fingers in the plaster and armature … my goal with the patina on this sculpture was to have the bronze color effect along with a saltwater ocean effect of marine life on the water portion of the sculpture. The Film Festival Award sculpture had me fired up since I had never sculpted a full ocean wave. Wow! Now that’s powerful! This sculpture reflects both strength and peacefulness. Everyone knows that the eagle is powerful, so what a great harmonious combination in sculptural art!”

Ruben Chato Hinojosa with the San Diego Film Festival Award nalwodi sculpture he created.

This item was originally featured in the May 2015 local newsletter.