THE ARTISTS

Nuestra Tierra features the work of over seventy of the best artists from towns and villages throughout Mexico.

Aguilar Family

For three generations, the Aguilar family of Oaxaca has created painted, hand-molded, figural pieces. Their work is exceptional in the way which they adopt images of cultural icons, such as Frida Kahlo, and represent common Mexican people, constantly adapting to their society and market.

Sergio Bustamante

Since the 1960’s, Sergio Bustamante has been internationally recognized in the world of creative arts and crafts.

His work encompasses a variety of art forms, including paper mâché, ceramics and bronze. Recent innovations include distinctive lines of fine jewelry and beautifully crafted furniture.

Nuestra Tierra is proud to be Northern California’s exclusive representative of this major Mexican artist.

Learn more about Sergio Bustamante on our Featured Artist Page.

Capelo

One of Guanajuato’s most prominent artists is ceramist Javier de Jesus Hernandez, also known as Capelo. This master of majolica shows in his work a reverence for Spanish colonial ceramic forms and designs. His design roots are in the 13th century and his style is the blending of a painter’s approach to art and an architect’s respect for function.

Capelo studied majolica techniques in Portugal, Spain and Italy. His paintings and ceramic pieces can be found in collections around the world.

Wolmar is the son of famed Taxco jewelry designer Antonio Castillo, founder of Los Castillo workshop that contributed greatly to the development of Taxco jewelry in the 40's and 50's. Wolmar specializes in "hollowware," silver plated onto copper in the form of pitchers, trays, vases, etc. The silver is complemented by intricate stonework details in the form of crocodiles, peacocks and lemurs. Wolmar's work has been exhibited extensively in the U.S. and he is often been called on to lecture on the topic of modern Taxco silverwork.

Cielito Lindo Studio

Cielito Lindo creates original folk art incorporating the traditional elements of Mexican culture, humor and materials. The Studio is headed up by the husband and wife team of Anke José Antonio Madrazo who are responsible for the design of the work.

Some traditional elements used are hand carved wooden figures, ceramics, hand forged metal, Mexican folk sayings and Day of the Dead motifs, set into nichos, altars, mirrors, chairs and candle holders elaborated with vibrant, electric colors. Cielito Lindo Studio pieces are featured in galleries, museum shops and folk art stores as well as private collections throughout the world.

Daniel Espinosa

Born into a jewelry making family in Taxco, the silver center of Mexico, it is no wonder that Daniel Espinosa began creating jewelry at the age of 17. He studied and traveled in Italy, Holland and New York before opening his own business in Mexico City in 1996. His contemporary designs are fashionable (he counts Madonna and Shakira among his many well-known customers), colorful and fun.

Gorky González

Gorky González is credited with the revitalization of the traditional potteries of Guanajuato. As the forms of Majolica were gradually disappearing in the first half of the twentieth century, he devoted himself to restoring them. The best known potter of Guanajuato, he can be partially credited for the booming industries in the city and its surrounding towns, especially Dolores de Hidalgo.

Damaso Ayala Jimenez

Using techniques dating back two centuries, Damaso Ayala is one of the greatest artists working in laca rayada (scored lacquer) today. As a boy, Damaso was taught these techniques by his father, who in turn had been taught by his father, Juventino Ayala, the undisputed master of the art form.

Starting with aromatic woods (such as linaloe) found locally in the state of Guerrero, the artist applies lacquers and colors created from natural substances. Then with simple hand tools he makes the delicate incisions that bring his work to life. The result of this time-consuming process is a piece with exquisite detail and beautiful sheen.

Mr. Ayala’s work is featured in the book Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art and is included in the exhibition of the same name now touring major museums in the United States.

Felipe& Leonardo Linares

Felipe is the son of Pedro Linares, originator of these diabolical creatures known as alebrijes. Dark, yet playful; repulsive, yet seductive; these figures were born out of a nightmare that Don Pedro had when he fell ill.

Don Pedro passed his love for working with paper and paste on to his son Felipe, who has become an unrivaled artist in his own right.

Carlomagno Pedro Martinez

Carlomagno Pedro, born in 1965 in Oaxaca, is known in Mexico and beyond as the sculptor of figures and calaveras (skeletons) in the burnished black clay for which his village is famous. In this work he brings the same black humor to printmaking. Like his famous predecessor, Guadalupe Posada, Carlomagno uses a cast of calaveras (skeletons) and diablos (devils) as foils for his social and political satire. The work is inspired by old Zapotec legends told by his grandparents, in which fantasy mixes with reality and “nahuals”, which are people transformed into animals, do astounding and sometimes wicked feats.

Carlomagno has exhibited in Chicago, San Francisco, Saint Louis, as well as France, Germany, and Switzerland. His life-sized skeletons and figures of death are in major collections in the U.S. and Mexico. His work is featured in several books including Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art and is included in the exhibition of the same name now touring major museums in the United States.

Benigno Santos Menor

The work of Benigno Santos is known for its muted colors and soft sheen. This effect is obtained by the artist’s reliance on natural materials (primarily gourds), natural substances (his hand-mixed lacquers and colors) and natural tools (turkey feathers and cat fur). The result is a work of subtlety and beauty.

Mr. Santo’s work is featured in the book Lacas Mexicanas and is sought out by collectors.

Francisco “Chico” Coronel Navarro

Francisco Coronel began learning the traditional methods of lacquer work at the age of seven under the direction of his grandfather and father. Now in his sixties, Mr. Coronel is one of the recognized masters of the art form, with five national awards to his credit. In the late 1970’s, he was commissioned to create an elaborate batea (bowl) in gold leaf (an ancient technique which he revived) for Queen Elizabeth II of England.

Whether starting with native woods (such as the aromatic linaloe) or gourds, the time-honored techniques are the same. The artist applies a mixture of chía oil and earthen pigments in several coats until the desired tones are achieved. After allowing the piece to dry (up to a month) he then paints the piece by hand, again using natural pigments. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is clearly evident in each of his pieces.

Mr. Coronel’s work is featured in several books including Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art and is included in the exhibition of the same name now touring major museums in the United States.

Ignacio Punzo

The copper and silver work of Ignacio Punzo is renowned throughout Mexico both for its unique design and excellent craftsmanship. Each piece is forged by hand and crafted using simple tools (many made in his own workshop) as it has been for generations.

Mr. Punzo has won numerous prizes; his work is featured in several books including Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art and is included in the exhibition of the same name now touring major museums in the United States.

Orfeo Quagliata

The son of a world-famous glass artist, Orfeo Quagliata, began his glass apprenticeship at the age of twelve. After studying in California and Spain, Orfeo enjoys creating his newest works in a workshop in Mexico City. His works traps light and color within glass in unique and delightful ways.

Angélica Vásquez

She is an excellent and very imaginative sculptor of figures with “pastillaje” decoration, enhanced by touches of dark red slip. Her subjects include mermaids and other sea creatures, imposing angels with wings spread and robes covered with small figures to elaborate a theme, perhaps a wedding. Angélica also makes a lot of devils, including ones dressed like dandies with wicked glints in their squinty little eyes. Much of her work is sold abroad. Some of the large pieces take a month to make.