Galeria de Ollas

MATA ORTIZ POTTERY

The Mata Ortiz creative movement has been deeply studied by experts due to the superb quality of the pottery there been made and to the quantity of artists involved in this form of art (approximately 400 in a small rural village).

It all started by the will of a man, that while looking for wood for his family was driven by the curiosity to look into a cave where he found some pots that he thought were beautiful and then he started to question himself how could ancient men create such beauty.

Assuming that the antique pots were made with local materials he eagerly experimented with different clays and minerals until he could get his first pieces. So, based upon the culture of Casas Grandes he started a new tradition.

A FORTUNATE DISCOVERY

One day in 1976, Spencer MacCallum, an American anthropologist, discovered in an antiques shop of Deming New Mexico, 3 pots that caught his attention. He bought them and after taking pictures of them he drove to New Mexico and down to Chihuahua State until he found Juan Quezada.

Juan was confused when he opened his door and saw Spencer in the steps of his home with the pictures of his pots. Then he showed him some other pieces that he had finished. They were finely done, very light and painted with intricate thin interlocking designs covered with red and black colours.

Spencer then realized the importance to sponsor this very promising potter and told him he would return in 2 months and buy more pieces from him. That started a relationship of 8 years in which Spencer bought pieces from Juan and other family members who learned from him. Spencer´s sponsorship gave Juan the freedom he needed to develop as an artist.

The jobs at that time were scarce so many other people in the town were convinced by Juan and Spencer that doing pottery afforded them the opportunity to improve their economical situation so many families began to learn the craft.

Galería de Ollas has been dedicated to featuring the best Mata Ortiz artists since 1998. Located in the heart of the Historic Center of Puerto Vallarta in 176 Corona Street, Phone (322) 223 1045 www.galeriadeollas.com sales@galeriadeollas.com