Alan W Livingstone-Smith

Melvin Sandoval Alan W Livingstone-Smith

A serendipitous partnership between San Felipe/Zuni fetish carver, Melvin Sandoval and Alan Livingstone-Smith, a retired English teacher living in France, is the source of this latest, ground-breaking addition to the literature on fetish carving. Ground-breaking because it is the first work devoted to the work of a single carver, and it pays him the compliment of treating his fetishes as works of art. The book has a much greater emphasis therefore on aesthetic aspects (the effect of choice of materials, shape, style etc.) than any of its predecessors. And the closeness of the relationship between the author and his extremely articulate subject has made possible a truly in-depth study of Melvin's work processes, and his feelings towards his work. The text is lavishly illustrated with some 250 photos, mainly of fetishes, and almost 100 examples of the stones Melvin uses. Although devoted to the work of a single and somewhat special carver, this work should provide enriching and illuminating insights for fetish collectors in general.