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Mata Ortiz Pot by Miriham Gallegos
Casas Grandes (Spanish for Great Houses; also known as Paquimé) is the contemporary name given to a pre-Columbian archaeological zone and its central site, located in northwestern Mexico in the modern-day Mexican state of Chihuahua. Regarded as one of the most significant archaeological zones in the northwestern region, Casas Grandes is centered in a wide, fertile valley on the Casas Grandes or San Miguel river, less than 100 miles from the US border.
Mata Ortiz, the small village in the region, has recently seen a revival of an ancient Mesoamerican pottery tradition. Modern potters are producing work for national and international sale. This new artistic movement is due to the efforts of Juan Quezada, the self-taught originator of modern Mata Ortiz pottery, his extended family and neighbors.
Oralia Lopez is one such potter in Mata Ortiz and we will be hosting her and her wide selection of Mata Ortiz pottery this weekend at the Museum of International Folk Art. Oralia is most famous for her unique patterns of graduated squares and triangles, drawn with such exactness that a secondary design of diamonds is produced. She uses paints mixed with local minerals and her great dedication to her work is reflected in the magnificent quality of each piece!
There will also be a book signing and lecture on Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 with Mr. John Bezy, the co-author with Mr. Stuart Scott of The Artistry and History of Mata Ortiz.
View More Mata Ortiz Pottery... |
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MNMF Shops Gift Cards
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Viva Mexico! - North to South
There are 31 states in Mexico, from Baja, Sonora and Chihuahua in the north to Oaxaca and Chiapas in the south, and a multitude of villages, communities, pueblos and neighborhoods throughout this land rich in culture and natural resources. But, the people are the story! Traditions and crafts passed down through generations of hard working citizens, hopeful to maintain their identity and artistry in the 21st century.
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Pottery in Guanajuato by Gorky Gonzalez
 Wedding Bowl
Gorky González began as a painter and sculptor. However, in the early '60s he came across an antique piece of pottery imported from the Mediterranean and began experimenting with the double-glaze technique known as Majolica. Because of its association with Spanish colonialism, the technique had been abandoned in Mexico when they gained independence in the 1820's.
"The notion of rescuing a forgotten craft - especially one so beautiful - was impossible to resist." (Gorky, 2002)
Gorky and his son are exceptionally creative artists - they've truly put their own personal (and at times very modern) stamp on an ancient technique, while maintaining elements of the Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Indigenous-Mexican roots inherent to their craft.
View More by Gorky Gonzalez...
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Paintings by the Lorenzo Family
of Guerrero
 Angel & Devil Painting
Lucas Lorenzo and his children Santiago, Jesus, Nicolas, Aureliano and Carlota live and work in the remote craft village of Xalitla, in the state of Guerrero. They come out of the same tradition as the well-known Guerrero painters on amate bark paper. But early on Lucas switched to painting on masonite board. This collection of iconic images and beloved saints truly reflect the charm of folk art being created in villages throughout Mexico.
View More Paintings by the Lorenzo's...
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Heart and Soul of Chiapas
Wool Reindeer
The poorest state in Mexico, Chiapas boasts the 3 largest hydroelectric dams; yet most of the state's inhabitants live without electricity or running water. Despite this extreme poverty, Chiapas is rich in indigenous culture, natural beauty and ancestral crafts. Weaving and embroidering textiles is a tradition in this region of Mexico that descends from the ancient Maya. The production of these wool toys encourages the continuation of long established hand-weaving techniques, while creating a unique source of income for dozens of women.
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When you do, you will receive 10% off all purchases made online and at our shops. Plus, you will receive the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Newsletter, which is your source for Member News and Events. You will also receive a subscription to El Palacio magazine, the oldest museum magazine in the United States! Click here to join.
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