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Splendors of Oaxacan Art
Esplendores Del Arte Oaxaqueño
June 17 - October 17
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Pottery in Oaxaca: Past to Present
Making pottery is an ancient craft and art form in Mexico that continues to the present day. Archaeological evidence shows that pottery production was already plentiful in pre-Columbian Mexico, though styles, materials, and uses have changed since then. The craft of pottery making has changed and adapted to suit both aesthetic and functional needs. Over time, each region has shaped pottery that exhibits a distinct local flavor in subject, design, materials, etc. In a way, Mexican pottery has come to perfectly represent what is meant by “popular” or “folk art”: art crafted by the hands of the people, for the people, from the land of the people. In the Oaxaca region, folk arts encompass many skills and mediums including woodcarving, textile weaving, embroidery, metal and specifically tinwork, basketry, pottery, and more. The region is especially famous for hand shaped clay pottery and is home to many famous artisans who specialize in working with clay. One of the most famous regional styles of working with local clay is Barro Negro, “Black Pottery” style. This style is named for the smoky black color of the clay after the firing process and is a variation on the local clay pottery that endures from the ancient Zapotec culture. |
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Barro Negro by Artists Unknown
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Barro Negro Pottery
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The Exhibition:
The exhibition runs from June 17th until October 17th, 2017 and features clay works exclusively from Oaxaca, Mexico. The first gallery is focused on two well-known artists from Oaxaca who both specialize in clay yet have very different personal styles. From Teodora Blanco, the exhibit showcases several small and large clay muñecas. made with her "pastillaje" technique. From Josefina Aguilar, the exhibit showcases two colorful clay figures and one fantastical underwater scene composed of a mermaid figure, and animals nestled in a shell, all made of clay and brightly painted. The second gallery is dedicated to Barro Negro / Black Clay pottery from Oaxaca including works by famous Barro Negro "creator" and potter, Doña Rosa Real de Nieto. |
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Barro Negro by Doña Rosa Real de Nieto
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Josefina Aguilar
Local Vendor
by Josefina Aguilar |
Mermaid by Josefina Aguilar
Teodora Blanco
Mother Mary with flowers by Teodora Blanco
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Local woman carrying fish by Teodora Blanco
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