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Mar. 31 – May 22, 2005
Oaxaca City, the capital of the State of Oaxaca in Southern Mexico, is a vibrant arts mecca. It is located within a few miles of the pre-Columbian ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla that speak to the ancient cultural roots of the region. In the surrounding villages, an endless flow of creativity is visible in the folk arts of whimsy and beauty made with the materials at hand—wood, clay, cotton and wool, plant fibers, tin and other metals. Many of the folk art traditions have been passed from generation to generation over decades and even centuries. Working together with their children and relatives who live nearby, the folk artists live in close-knit communities that specialize in popular art forms.
Specific villages are recognized for the folk art forms they produce. The village of Teotitlán de Valle is well known for its beautiful weavings. San Bartolo Coyotepec is distinguished for its black pottery. Ocotlán de Morelos is the home of the Aguilar family who create figurative ceramics and vignettes. San Antonio Arrazola, San Martín Tilcajete and La Unión Tejalapam are villages where painted woodcarvings are the major art form.
For these artisans, their works reflect a way of life and a sense of national pride. The potters gather the clay, process it, use hand-building techniques, and fire the wares in outdoor pits. Weavers often spin and dye their wool and meticulously weave on a shuttle loom the intricate designs reflecting a continuity with the past. Carvers gather wood, shape it with machete, gouges and chisels, sand it smooth, then paint it with vivid colors and patterns. Folk arts flourish because the artists continue to respond to new approaches, styles and innovative methods while retaining their existing traditions.
Our exhibit showcases fine examples of Zapotec weavings, pottery, wood carvings and other crafts of Oaxaca along with photographs of the people, markets and nearby environs. For an in-depth understanding, may we suggest the book Zapotec Weavers, $24.95 from TCP’s La Galería Museum Shop.
Arnulfo Mendoza, one of Mexico's most revered artists, weaving a finely-detailed Saltillo serape design of the diamond medallion © Jaye R. Phillips
Loom of Arnulfo Mendoza with the revived 19th century Saltillo serape design © Jaye R. Phillips
Cover of the TCP-recommended book, Zapotec Weavers, on sale in the Park's La Galería Museum Shop