Vision of the Gallery and its Art
“I am surrounded by the beauty of Mata Ortiz Pottery. Every time I look closely at a piece and observe its detail I think of the person creating it. Every one of the ceramists is an artist in the purest sense of the word. Why is this?
Each Olla is formed entirely by hand using clay coils and yet the potter creates almost perfect symmetry. The artist creates perfect balance. One might conclude that the little town so far from the rush of our big cities gives the artist a special setting so they can concentrate in a way that allows creativity at the highest level.
Great patience is required as the potter sands and burnishes every inch of the pot to generate a smooth shinny surface. When you touch the pot you feel the freshness of the clay as your hands slide over the surface sensing its silk texture. The artist now paints the piece. The potter must have very skillful hands in order to paint circles and straight lines which complement the aesthetics of its rounded surface.
It takes much love for the work to reach this high level of perfection. This love is displayed in each Olla and that is significant as people fall in-love with Mata Ortiz pottery.
The people in the State of Chihuahua have a very distinctive way of thinking. The history of this state is one of survival. The severe weather - very hot in the summer and windy cold winters - tends to mold the character of its people. To achieve success they must dedicate a lifetime to their vocation and that is the requirement of Mata Ortiz Artists. It took Juan Quezada about 15 years to achieve the perfection of creating pots and painting designs with lines starting and ending like the notes of a concert's beautiful melody.
Because of this lifetime commitment, Juan is known worldwide as one of the great masters of Mexican art. Perhaps the best part of this story is his willingness to teach and share with family and neighbors his many experiences in developing this special art. There are now about 400 potters as children learn from their parents and neighbors the skills to form and paint each Olla. These ceramics are now known by the name of the small town: Mata Ortiz.”
Each Olla is formed entirely by hand using clay coils and yet the potter creates almost perfect symmetry. The artist creates perfect balance. One might conclude that the little town so far from the rush of our big cities gives the artist a special setting so they can concentrate in a way that allows creativity at the highest level.
Great patience is required as the potter sands and burnishes every inch of the pot to generate a smooth shinny surface. When you touch the pot you feel the freshness of the clay as your hands slide over the surface sensing its silk texture. The artist now paints the piece. The potter must have very skillful hands in order to paint circles and straight lines which complement the aesthetics of its rounded surface.
It takes much love for the work to reach this high level of perfection. This love is displayed in each Olla and that is significant as people fall in-love with Mata Ortiz pottery.
The people in the State of Chihuahua have a very distinctive way of thinking. The history of this state is one of survival. The severe weather - very hot in the summer and windy cold winters - tends to mold the character of its people. To achieve success they must dedicate a lifetime to their vocation and that is the requirement of Mata Ortiz Artists. It took Juan Quezada about 15 years to achieve the perfection of creating pots and painting designs with lines starting and ending like the notes of a concert's beautiful melody.
Because of this lifetime commitment, Juan is known worldwide as one of the great masters of Mexican art. Perhaps the best part of this story is his willingness to teach and share with family and neighbors his many experiences in developing this special art. There are now about 400 potters as children learn from their parents and neighbors the skills to form and paint each Olla. These ceramics are now known by the name of the small town: Mata Ortiz.”
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