El zapatero del barrio

sketchfab

This beautiful wood carving was crafted by my grandfather, Jose Arroyo Lugo, and it's a stunning portrayal of rural Puerto Rico in the early to mid 20th century. The scene depicts a shoe repairman hard at work fixing shoes, his hands moving swiftly as he extends the life of a pair. His role in the community was vital - workers couldn't afford new shoes if their old ones were damaged or worn out, so the zapatero kept them going for as long as possible. The carving shows the zapatero repairing shoes with great skill and attention to detail. He's an expert in his craft, essential to the community where people struggled financially. The shoe repairman would fix shoes until they reached their maximum lifespan, making him a valuable asset to the community. This incredible wood carving was created by Jose Lugo Arroyo. Photographs and model by Alex Elvis Badillo.