This ceramic grouping by Carlomagno Pedro Martinez just arrived a few days ago. I had been tracking it on its way from Oaxaca and was so relieved that all the pieces were intact. I don't know its name, but Carlomagno explained that the five elderly ladies in skeleton form represent the five centuries of Mexican history, the pregnant dog symbolizes the recent election (the social results of which are yet unknown), and the bouquet of flowers celebrates the beauties of the country. The ladies are seated on a wooden bench, seem to be chatting animatedly--who knows about what? I had them on display for a few days, but now have repacked them in anticipation of moving in the forseeable future. What fun it will be to decide where they'll sit in their new home!
Carlomagno was only one of the well-known artists we met on our trip. Like all the others, he was eager to share his work and his pride in his country's art. We visited several families of woodcarvers in La Union Tejalapam one rainy day after exploring the impressive ruins at Monte Alban. These carvings were nothing like the ones seen in tourist shops--they are very strong with expressive faces and staring eyes, colored with brilliant inks. I was delighted to bring home the nativity scene pictured below.
Carlomagno was only one of the well-known artists we met on our trip. Like all the others, he was eager to share his work and his pride in his country's art. We visited several families of woodcarvers in La Union Tejalapam one rainy day after exploring the impressive ruins at Monte Alban. These carvings were nothing like the ones seen in tourist shops--they are very strong with expressive faces and staring eyes, colored with brilliant inks. I was delighted to bring home the nativity scene pictured below.
Oaxaca nativity by Martin Santiago Canada
If you look closely, you can see that Jesus is bright yellow (takes after his mother) and has impressive sideburns. It seems to me a very friendly and comfortable nativity. The forms of these people relate directly back to the carvings at Monte Alban, with formal, direct posture. The colors, though, bring them right into your lap.
We also met several families of potters near Ocotlan de Morelos and in San Antonino Castillo Velasco. These artists make vivid, interesting figures celebrating their culture. Guillermina and Josefina Aguilar paint their small pieces brightly:
We also met several families of potters near Ocotlan de Morelos and in San Antonino Castillo Velasco. These artists make vivid, interesting figures celebrating their culture. Guillermina and Josefina Aguilar paint their small pieces brightly:
Vegetable vendor by Guillermina Aguilar
She looks quite calm for someone who's balancing that enormous green pepper on her head. The splotchy white and red vegetaqbles are rabanos, large, inedible radishes that are carved into various images for parades and festivals on December 23.
I came home just in love with all the color. Cannot wait to paint walls and trim in the new house. I think my fiber work may change also, but that will have to wait until I get more settled. For now, I need to pack fabrics into boxes and make some order out of the chaos in my studio. To satisfy the need to make something, I'm putting together teddy bears for the church bazaar. (They're not interested in my real art--they want stuff they can market.)
I'll show photos of some of the weaving in a later post.
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