ART DAR

Some of the most recognizable Mexican folk-art forms include wooden alebrijes depicting creatures made of different animals, Tree of Life pottery, Yucatán hammocks, and blown glassware from Jalisco. Día de Los Muertos showcases much of Mexican folk art.

Since the emergence of the Olmec culture, considered to be the mother of the Mesoamerican cultures, ceramics, pottery making, took an important place in the lives of the Mexican people.

The two best known pottery traditions are “barro negro” and the green-glazed pieces of Santa María Atzompa. Barro negro (black clay) pottery is a style of pottery distinguished by its color, sheen and unique designs, and is most often associated with the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec.

Talavera pottery appeared in Mexico in the 16th century after the arrival of Spanish potters from a region called Talavera de la Reina, who settled in the newly founded city of Puebla de los Angeles. These potters had the custom of making a type of earthenware inspired by Muslim and Chinese ceramics called maiolica.

Mexican pottery is very colorful, because pigments come from natural minerals native to the surrounding region. A thick tin glaze puts the essential touch on each piece, and a final firing process makes Talavera pottery extremely durable. Each piece is a work of art.

Today, the artisans of the Valley of Tonalá still use the burnishing techniques of their pre-Hispanic ancestors, fused with colonial styles that resulted in sophisticated ceramics that became an important part of Mexico’s artistic traditions.

Further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_ceramics

Ken Edwards was born in the USA, educated in the Arts in Kansas City, Missouri and studied his art in Japan.  You will see the Asian influences in his “Collection” series.  In the 1960’s Ken Edwards migrated to the crafts village of Tonala, in Central Mexico, where he founded the company known as Ken Edwards Stoneware.  The Museo Regional de la Cerámica (Regional Ceramic Museum) in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico is located on Independencia Street in the center of the city. The museum is one of two main ceramics museums in the city, with the other being the Pantaleon Panduro Museum. A chronology of the works of Ken Edwards can be seen there showing the progression of his craft.  It is quite an honor to be included in this museum.  His works from the 1960’s to present day can be seen here:

https://www.kenedwardspottery.com/