Nano Lopez was born in Bogota, Colombia on October 31, 1955. His artistic talent was noticed early in life when he was awarded first place in a school drawing contest at the age of five. As a young teenager, he began using wet clay he found at construction sites to practice sculpting. By high school, he was making serious copies of the masters, including Michelangelo’s sculptures and paintings. His passion led him all over the world, where he studied at prestigious schools and exhibited his works for international art collectors.

Nano Lopez’s sculptures evoke a sense of childlike wonder to the viewer, drawing us in with bright, vibrant colors and lively animals all captured in amusing poses and accessories. Such as an ostrich named, Elizabeth who wears sunglasses resting on her head as one of many examples. Whether the viewer is nine or ninety, Nano Lopez’s pieces bring smiles to our faces that few other artists can accomplish.

Much of Nano Lopez’s inspiration comes from his family: his grandmother was an artist who worked in ceramics and water clay; his father worked as a chemical engineer at a copper sheeting factory, where Nano admired the beautiful patterns created by sulfuric acid and cupric nitrate crystals. The family traveled through South America, where Nano fished on the Amazon River, watched turtles waddle and scamper, and noticed the delicate textures of lush leaves and tangled fishing nets.

Nano Lopez is most known for his “Nanimal” sculptures: intensely creative, intricately detailed creatures full of playfulness, personality, and whimsy. Look closely at his pieces and you might discover the bright color and energy of a Colombian marketplace: animals precariously laden with pots, vibrant fruits and vegetables, whizzing birds, bees, and geckos, Pre-Columbian and contemporary artifacts. Look closer still and you’ll find a deep respect for life, clearly observed, where everything—even a mischievous goat balanced on a pile of castaway tires—is amazing.

For Nano, the entire sculpting process begins with his initial conceptual sketches.
He then creates a small working model in clay. Following that, he will then sculpt the piece in actual size.

In his artistic process, Nano integrates organic textures and human-made objects into his bronzes to create pieces of art that reflect the same depth and richness he sees in the world around him. Nano truly is a master sculptor that inspires both wonder and awe with his cast bronze sculptures. He is famous for his bronze Animal sculptures which include a dragon, cat, giraffe, elephant, dog, and many more.

The sculpture's unique elements become part of the final piece in several ways. They may be embedded, applied to the surface, or even indented in the actual clay.

His ability to produce iconic and beautiful pieces has led to a large following that has allowed him to pursue monumental installations throughout the world. His Iconic "Nanimals" bring the spirit of the Columbian Marketplace to the polarizing natural world, inspiring a childlike sense of imagination and wonder. His studies in various techniques in casting, patinas, and textures have led to a unique style of bronze sculpting unique to Nano. He continues to produce these beautiful sculptures today, which inspire us to experience and question the meaning of life and the balance of nature in the world today.

After seeing one of Nano’s sculptures it's hard not to want one for your own collection. There are many different sculptures available with a wide range of prices that will allow you to find a piece that fits your budget. Whether it is one of Nano’s “Nanimals” or one of his avant-garde contemporary sculptures, there’s something for everyone’s collection.

“The transformation from clay to bronze has always been magical to me.”- Nano Lopez