Whimsical Tales of Ocumicho
Cuentos Fantásticos de Ocumicho
April 19- November 15, 2019
Ocumicho is a Michoacán Town brimming with polychromatic characters made from clay, audacious and joyful, in a profusion of colors. Among the items that these artisans create, outstanding are the images of a triumphal Jesus as he enters the holy city of Jerusalem which are exhibited at the Feria de Uruapan in the days prior to the Holy week celebrations.The artisans from Ocumicho obtain their clay from mines, or pozas, on communal lands located near the community. It is extracted with picks and shovels, and carried back in sacks on the backs of mules.
At home, the clay is spread out the courtyard and the chunks broken up with large sticks until completely smooth. Next, the material is sifted through sieve to remove any sort of impurities. It is mixed with a small amount of water then carefully covered with large sheets of plastic. Small amounts corresponding to the pieces to be elaborated are later removed, adding more water so as to achieve a malleable mixture.
At home, the clay is spread out the courtyard and the chunks broken up with large sticks until completely smooth. Next, the material is sifted through sieve to remove any sort of impurities. It is mixed with a small amount of water then carefully covered with large sheets of plastic. Small amounts corresponding to the pieces to be elaborated are later removed, adding more water so as to achieve a malleable mixture.
In Ocumicho artisans elaborate festive sculptures made with clay as sirens, negritos, laughing devils riding bicycles, flying airplanes or driving cars or trucks, dancers, bible figures, etc.
A great display of much selected clay sculptures features one or more devils who are having fun in every day activity in little village of Ocumicho and other scenes.
The themes to create these clay figures also correspond to the calendar of traditional festivals.
Great ceramic masters are recognized as Maria de Jesus Nolasco Elias, Marcelino Vicente and his friend Emilio Felipe.
This ceramic of popular art little by little was extended in the town until becoming what today is in day, a purely feminine art. Woman are axis of this craft, helped in the process of elaboration by the husband and children, for example men bring the clay, paint the figures and sell them, that learning goes through mother’s way. The girls start from an early age to mold the clay to give it a thousand of shapes.
A great display of much selected clay sculptures features one or more devils who are having fun in every day activity in little village of Ocumicho and other scenes.
The themes to create these clay figures also correspond to the calendar of traditional festivals.
Great ceramic masters are recognized as Maria de Jesus Nolasco Elias, Marcelino Vicente and his friend Emilio Felipe.
This ceramic of popular art little by little was extended in the town until becoming what today is in day, a purely feminine art. Woman are axis of this craft, helped in the process of elaboration by the husband and children, for example men bring the clay, paint the figures and sell them, that learning goes through mother’s way. The girls start from an early age to mold the clay to give it a thousand of shapes.
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En Ocumicho se elaboran esculturas de escenas chuscas hechas de cerámica como sirenas, negritos, diablitos burlones manejando bicicletas o volando en aviones, manejando coches o camiones, danzantes, figuras bíblicas, etc.
Una gran exposición de esculturas de cerámica muy seleccionadas presenta uno o más diablitos que se divierten en las actividades diarias en el pueblo de Ocumicho.
Los temas para crear estas figuras de barro corresponden también al calendario de fiestas tradicionales. Grandes maestros ceramistas son reconocidos como María de Jesús Nolasco Elías, Marcelino Vicente y su amigo Emilio Felipe.
Esta cerámica de arte popular poco a poco se fue extendiendo en el pueblo hasta llegar a ser lo que hoy es en día, un arte meramente femenino. Las mujeres constituyen el eje de esta artesanía, ayudadas en el proceso de elaboración por el esposo e hijos, por ejemplo los hombres traen el barro, pintan las figuras y las venden, el aprendizaje pasa por vía materna. Las niñas comienzan desde muy temprana edad a manejar el barro para darle miles de formas.
Una gran exposición de esculturas de cerámica muy seleccionadas presenta uno o más diablitos que se divierten en las actividades diarias en el pueblo de Ocumicho.
Los temas para crear estas figuras de barro corresponden también al calendario de fiestas tradicionales. Grandes maestros ceramistas son reconocidos como María de Jesús Nolasco Elías, Marcelino Vicente y su amigo Emilio Felipe.
Esta cerámica de arte popular poco a poco se fue extendiendo en el pueblo hasta llegar a ser lo que hoy es en día, un arte meramente femenino. Las mujeres constituyen el eje de esta artesanía, ayudadas en el proceso de elaboración por el esposo e hijos, por ejemplo los hombres traen el barro, pintan las figuras y las venden, el aprendizaje pasa por vía materna. Las niñas comienzan desde muy temprana edad a manejar el barro para darle miles de formas.