Art in Costa Rica is deeply connected to the land, to nature, and to human emotion. Few artists embody this connection as authentically as Maria Fonseca, a Costa Rican sculptor whose figurative wood sculptures speak quietly yet powerfully about family, love, identity, and the intimate relationship between humans and the natural world. Through her hands, wood becomes more than a material—it becomes a living medium that carries memory, emotion, and spirit.
Maria Fonseca’s sculptures are instantly recognizable. They are warm, rounded, and expressive, filled with tenderness and movement. Her work does not shout; it whispers. It invites the viewer to slow down, to observe, and to feel. In a world increasingly dominated by speed and abstraction, her sculptures remind us of something essential and timeless: the beauty of human connection.
From Fine Arts to Wood Sculpture
Maria Fonseca began her artistic journey at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Costa Rica, where she was formally trained in the visual arts. Like many young artists, she explored multiple disciplines—drawing, painting, and sculpting in different materials. It was during her academic years that she was first introduced to sculpture as a serious form of expression.
Initially, Maria worked with stone and other traditional sculptural materials. These experiences gave her a strong technical foundation and an understanding of form, balance, and volume. However, it was when she began working with wood that something transformative happened.
Wood spoke to her.
In Maria’s own words, the moment she began sculpting in wood marked an internal transformation. Unlike stone, which resists and challenges, wood responds. It carries warmth, texture, and history. Every piece of wood has lived—it has grown, weathered storms, absorbed sunlight and rain. For Maria, this living quality of wood made it the perfect medium for expressing human emotion.
A Studio Rooted in Nature
Today, Maria works from her outdoor studio, located on a small farm near the hillside town of Naranjo, in Costa Rica’s Central Valley. This rural setting is not incidental—it is essential to her work. Surrounded by coffee fields, birds, shifting light, and the rhythms of nature, Maria finds both inspiration and peace.
Her studio is not a closed, sterile space. It is open to the elements. The sounds of wind, insects, and birds accompany her as she works. The smell of wood shavings mixes with the scent of earth and vegetation. This close connection to nature allows her to remain grounded and fully present in the creative process.
In this environment, Maria carves slowly and deliberately. She listens—to the wood, to her intuition, and to her emotions. Each sculpture evolves organically, guided as much by feeling as by form.
The Human Figure as Central Theme
The human figure is central to Maria Fonseca’s work. Her sculptures depict people in intimate, emotionally charged moments: a mother embracing her child, lovers entwined in a quiet embrace, families connected through touch and proximity. These are not idealized or heroic figures. They are universal and deeply human.
One of the defining characteristics of Maria’s figurative sculptures is their rounded, voluptuous forms. Arms, legs, hands, and feet are often intertwined, creating a sense of unity and closeness. The figures appear grounded and complete, rooted in themselves and in one another.
There is a strong sense of kinship and warmth in her work. The viewer can almost feel the comfort of a mother’s arms or the tenderness between two partners. These sculptures evoke emotions that are immediately recognizable, regardless of cultural background.
Indigenous Influence and Cultural Identity
Many of Maria’s sculptures are inspired by the indigenous men and women of Costa Rica. Rather than focusing on specific tribal identities, her work captures a broader sense of ancestral presence and cultural continuity. Her figures feel timeless, as though they could belong to the past, the present, or the future.
Through these sculptures, Maria honors the values traditionally associated with indigenous cultures: respect for family, closeness to nature, and emotional authenticity. The simplicity of her forms reflects a life lived close to the land, free from excess and artificiality.
These sculptures are not political statements, but they are quietly powerful affirmations of cultural dignity and human connection.
Animals and Birds: Nature as Companion
In addition to human figures, animals and birds frequently appear in Maria Fonseca’s work. These are not decorative additions; they are symbolic companions to the human form. Birds may represent freedom, protection, or the spiritual realm. Animals often embody instinct, loyalty, or emotional grounding.
Sometimes, humans and animals are sculpted together, suggesting a shared existence and mutual respect. This reflects a worldview deeply rooted in Costa Rican culture, where nature is not something separate from humanity, but something intimately connected to it.
Maria’s sensitivity to the natural world is evident in how she allows the grain, curves, and imperfections of the wood to guide the final form. Rather than forcing the material into submission, she collaborates with it.
Emotion Embedded in Wood
One of the most remarkable aspects of Maria Fonseca’s sculptures is their emotional resonance. As she herself says, the wood absorbs her emotions—her joy, her tenderness, her introspection. This emotional transfer is not metaphorical; it is palpable.
Her sculptures feel alive. They radiate warmth. Viewers often describe an immediate emotional response when encountering her work—calm, nostalgia, comfort, or even a sense of being understood.
This emotional depth comes from Maria’s belief that an artist never stops learning. With each new piece, she approaches the wood with humility and openness, allowing the sculpture to teach her as much as she shapes it.
Seasonal Presence and Public Access
During Costa Rica’s peak tourism season, from January through March, Maria can often be found working out of her studio-gallery at Hotel Martino’s, located in La Garita de Alajuela. This setting allows visitors—both locals and international travelers—to see her work up close and, at times, to observe her creative process firsthand.
Watching Maria work is an experience in itself. There is no rush, no unnecessary movement. Each cut of the chisel is intentional. Each pause is thoughtful. It is a reminder that true craftsmanship takes time and presence.
International Recognition and Collections
Although deeply rooted in Costa Rica, Maria Fonseca’s work has traveled far beyond its borders. Her sculptures are part of private and public collections in the United States, Europe, Mexico, South America, Central America, and throughout Costa Rica.
Collectors are drawn not only to the aesthetic beauty of her work, but also to its emotional authenticity. In a global art market often driven by trends, Maria’s sculptures stand out for their sincerity and timelessness.
Each piece is unique, handcrafted, and imbued with the artist’s personal touch. Owning one of her sculptures is not merely acquiring an object—it is forming a relationship with a story, a place, and a philosophy of life.
A Quiet but Powerful Artistic Voice
Maria Fonseca is not an artist who seeks the spotlight. Her voice is gentle, her presence understated. Yet her work speaks volumes. In her figurative wood sculptures, we find a celebration of love, family, emotion, and humanity’s bond with nature.
In a world that often feels fragmented and rushed, her sculptures offer a moment of stillness. They remind us of what truly matters: connection, warmth, and the shared experiences that unite us all.
Maria Fonseca’s art does not demand attention—it earns it. And for those who take the time to truly look, her work leaves a lasting impression, carved not only in wood, but in the heart.