On December 13, 2023, Karla de Lara unveiled the monumental sculpture “El Corazon de Tonala”, a four-meter bronze artwork created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Tonalá as a municipality. The sculpture was revealed during a civic ceremony attended by local authorities, artists, artisans, and members of the community, becoming one of the central events of the historic celebration.
Conceived as a symbol of cultural identity and community pride, the work was installed as a permanent tribute to one of the most representative cities of Mexican artisanal tradition.
Tonala: a cradle of Mexican folk art
Located in the state of Jalisco, Tonala is internationally recognized as one of the most important centers of artisanal production in Mexico. Since pre-Hispanic times, the region has been a place where clay, fire, and craftsmanship have shaped a cultural legacy passed down through generations.
The city is particularly known for its ceramics — especially burnished clay and barro canelo — as well as for other artistic traditions such as blown glass, wrought iron, papier-mâché, and metal repoussé.
Within this context, the creation of a commemorative sculpture for the municipality’s anniversary also represents recognition of the collective creativity of its people.
A symbol for the memory of the city
The sculpture “El Corazon de Tonala” was conceived as a symbolic representation of the city’s creative spirit. Its form evokes the heart as a universal metaphor for life, identity, and belonging, while its monumental scale integrates it into the urban landscape as a gathering point for the community.
The work was produced using the lost-wax bronze casting technique, one of the oldest and most refined sculptural processes in the history of art.
Public art as cultural identity
Throughout her career, Karla de Lara has explored artistic interventions within public spaces, viewing art as a vehicle for strengthening cultural identity.
“Tonala has a profoundly artistic heart. This sculpture is a tribute to its people, its history, and the creativity that has defined this city for generations.”
Karla de Lara
A Symbol of Enduring Identity
Beyond its sculptural presence, “El Corazon de Tonala” functions as an urban symbol celebrating creativity, memory, and the pride of a community whose identity has long been tied to art and craftsmanship.
In this sense, the work not only commemorates a historic anniversary but also projects the creative spirit of Tonalá into the future.
