Three potters from Mata Ortiz, Mexico demonstrated their work and interacted with guests at the Cabot Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs the weekend of March 1st through the 3rd, 2013.
29 year old Luis Rodriguez and his 27 year old wife Claudia Ledezma are second generation potters, learning their craft from their parents. Their work can be found in high end galleries and museum shops around the world (and now in our home as well!)
Luis uses brushes made from human hair to paint Mimbres designs, a period of history which fascinates him. He began forming and selling his own small pots at the age of fourteen.
Claudia learned from her mother the square grid patterns known as cuadriculas. Since being married, Luis and Caudia have each influenced the other’s style. Claudia began painting with the Mimbres patterns like her husband but in the sgraffito style. In 2009, the first year she participated in the pottery competitions in Mata Ortiz, she won first place in the sgraffito category.
Jerardo Tena is also a second generation potter, and is now passing down the traditions to his own children. He has won numerous awards, has taught many classes and given many demonstrations and his art has been shown in many locations in the U.S.
His very appealing pottery includes animals and other forms of life, a few of which are shown in this set.
More photos of the event by Bruce montgomery; just click!
