THE COLLECTION

Hand-finished hanging chili sculptures in small, evolving series and color families. 

Available individually, as coordinated pairs, or as custom groupings by special order.

ADOBE CHILIS 

Textured Southwest pieces inspired by Northern New Mexico adobe and weathered earthen walls; finishes include locally gathered Taos-area sand, natural earth pigments, acrylics, pumice and clay with hand-painted details, hand-stamped copper tag, bead & cord.

Flowervine series of Adobe Chili

A U.S. quarter is included in photographs as a scale reference.

X-Large Flowervine

DESERT CHILIS series

Original spray-painted & acrylic sculptural chilis with hand-painted details, hand-stamped copper tag, bead and cord.

Shown individually and in pairs; custom groupings available by special order.

MATERIALS + DETAILS

Hydrocal • acrylic paint • spray-paint • natural earth pigments • locally gathered Taos-area sand  • Fine Pumice Gel • Kaolin clay • copper • fiber cord / cotton string (Turquoise, black, natural white, brick red) • beads (Turquoise or Beige) • protective finishes. Each sculpture is individually hand-finished; variations in color and Patina surface are part of the work.

THE FORM

Each sculpture is designed to hang freely from its attached cord - on a wall, nail, peg, hook, or any simple point where a cord can be suspended. This allows the pieces to move easily from intimate spaces to larger installations.

Artist Statement

I create handcrafted hanging chili sculptures inspired by Northern New Mexico and Southwest colors, adobe architecture, desert landscapes and weathered surfaces. I am drawn to the way sunlight, age, texture and layers of color give the built landscape a sense of history and character.

My work ranges from richly colored spray-painted and hand-painted surfaces to more textured Adobe Chilis influenced by the earthy character of Northern New Mexico. I build each sculpture by hand and explore different combinations of color, texture, patina and mixed materials. My visual language is also shaped by more than 20 years living overseas, lifelong travel and my work as a world-touring musician influenced by Middle Eastern and Silk Road traditions.

BIOGRAPHY

Ryan Sijan is a Taos, New Mexico-based artist and world-touring musician. He began working with art as a child and comes from a multigenerational family of artists and musicians. He is the son of renowned sculptor Marc Sijan.

Ryan lived overseas for more than 20 years, developing a lifelong connection to the art, music and cultures of the Silk Road and Middle East. After returning to the Southwest, he settled in Taos, where Northern New Mexico's adobe architecture, desert landscape and distinctive colors became an important influence on his sculptural work. His Turquoise Chili Studio brings these Southwest and global influences together through individually handcrafted hanging sculptures.

INFLUENCES

Northern New Mexico and Southwest adobe architecture, desert landscapes, weathered surfaces and color; my father Marc Sijan and a multigenerational family of artists and musicians; traditional and contemporary craft; and the art, music and visual traditions I encountered during more than 20 years living overseas and through my work as a world-touring musician influenced by the Middle East and Silk Road.

Inside the Turquoise Chili Studio

    Ryan Sijan • Taos, New Mexico     

sacredsymbolics@yahoo.com

Wanna check out my world music ?

 Karavan Sarai — Alchemists of Sound, shifting hearts like desert sands. Journey from the Middle East to India through ancient & original melodies, ecstatic rhythms, and lush electronica. Deep Fusion music that awakens the soul, stirs the imagination, and guides listeners into uncharted mystical realms.

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