Artist Raul De Lara is presenting a thought-provoking exhibition that questions why plants can be considered native to multiple nations while people cannot. His large-scale exhibition "HOST," currently on display at The Contemporary Austin through January 11, 2026, features surreal sculptures that merge flora and furniture to challenge concepts of belonging, identity, and the artificial nature of state borders.
Using wood endemic to both Texas and Mexico, De Lara creates extraordinary pieces that transform familiar objects into something strange and uncanny. His collection includes potted monsteras sprouting from chains, a school desk covered in long spines, and a cactus cleverly disguised as a child's rocking horse. Other notable works include "Cavale II" (2023), made from walnut, cedar, hemu, Hermés saddle, horsehair, lacquer, pigment, and urethane, measuring 50 x 64 x 19 inches. Many of his sculptures are intentionally rendered unusable, such as a spiked ladder that would challenge even the bravest person to climb.
Now based in Ridgewood, Queens, De Lara grew up near Austin as the child of Mexican immigrants and first learned woodworking in his family's shop. He describes this formative environment as "a world where each tool has its own language, each piece of wood shows the passing of time on its skin, and where one is able to communicate through their hands." The sacred space was permeated with strong beliefs in animism, luck, and the paranormal, teaching the budding artist that he could harness the energy of particular materials to create beautiful objects.
For De Lara, woodworking serves as a mode of storytelling where magical realism flourishes. "I welcome the idea that artworks can hold their own spark of life and extend it to us," he explains. "When I make my work, I remember childhood memories of when I would see local carvers turn branches into saints. I always wondered at what point in the carving process does the ghost enter that piece of wood. I strive to make works that invite a certain kind of trust and acceptance from the viewer, that let them live within our realm."
The artist's work carries particular relevance as global concerns about immigration and human rights intensify. De Lara has DACA status and understands firsthand the precarity and swift changes that come with new administrations. His sculptures include pieces like "Wilt" (2022), made from walnut, pine, red oak, urethane, pigment, and polyurethane, measuring 125 x 25 1/4 x 45 inches, and "Lotion In Your Lungs" (2019), crafted from pine, oak, wood glue, sand from the Mexico-U.S. border, acrylic, and lacquer, measuring 72 x 24 x 50 inches.
While his sculptures capture a sense of whimsy and play that might seem to contrast with harsh immigration realities, De Lara views woodworking and traditional craft as a form of superpower. "It cannot be taken away from you as it is not tied to location, politics, or laws," he states. "You carry it with you and can practice anywhere, with anyone, and oftentimes, it disarms differences amongst us." Other works in the exhibition include "For Being Left-Handed" (2020), made from pine, Chiclets gum, acrylic, brass, steel, and particle board, "20 Years Later / 20 Años Después" (2024), and "Familia" (2024), both crafted from walnut with various finishes.
Visitors can experience De Lara's unique artistic vision at The Contemporary Austin, where the exhibition challenges viewers to reconsider borders, belonging, and the power of traditional craftsmanship in addressing contemporary social issues. The artist continues to share updates about his work through his Instagram account, maintaining connection with audiences who appreciate his blend of cultural commentary and masterful woodworking.
