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The MIRROR on the Mata Ortiz World
My encounter with
the pottery of Mata Ortiz
By: Claudia Lovera – Mata Ortiz Pottery - September
2003 - Leer
Español
I want to tell you first about me
and my encounter. My husband and I are the owners of
a cute small gallery in the downtown area of beautiful
Vallarta, where we exhibit and sell the exquisite pottery
of Mata Ortiz, the finest pieces of pottery in Mexico,
and possibly in the world.
 During
the mid-1970’s this unique art form originated
as inspiration of just one man: Juan Quezada. Through
exhibitions in museums and art galleries in Mexico,
the United States, Europe and Japan, this pottery began
to capture international attention as an expression
of fine art. The potters make each piece the way the
inhabitants of the ancient city of Paquime did over
500 years ago. However, the modern potters are innovative
in their designs and have developed their own distinctive
styles. This is a sophisticated contemporary art movement
with roots in a pre-Hispanic culture. Although still
quite affordable, demand for many of the artists’
pieces are increasing rapidly, along with their prices.
I know, I listen with much passion; some of you understand
why, while others will …in time.
In 1999, I was lucky to find a job
in gallery where these pieces were being sold. I did
not realize then that this would be my introduction
to a new world that would change my life forever, adding
beauty and satisfaction to it. The first days, I just
looked at the pieces, paying special attention to the
lines, their designs, and their color captured my imagination.
I started to read about them, but I only got really
serious about them when I read “The Miracle of
Mata Ortiz” by Walter P. Parks, with whom I would
enjoy an amazing sunset in Sayulita years later.
The story of this ceramic still fascinates
me. Everything I discovered in the book made me even
more interested in each pot and how it was created:
the artist finds the clay in different places around
the town of Mata Ortiz. Then he turns it into the finest
clay I have ever seen in my entire life, in his house.
Afterwards, he carefully builds up the pot, making a
tortilla and adding a coil, pinching to the top using
only his hands, to end up with a beautiful pot with
incredibly hard and thin walls. The pieces are then
sanded and polished to a shiny finish, ready for the
incredible final touch: the painting. This is done with
a brush made of children’s hair, wonderful mineral
colors and beautiful designs. The last and most dangerous
step is the firing in open fires of cow manure and wood
burning at approximately 1200o Fahrenheit.
With time I understood why some pieces
were better than others, when one was extraordinary…
like the old adage says: “practice makes the master”.
Today I choose the most interesting designs, the most
innovative, the best built and decorated. Sometimes
I ask for something that I consider exceptional. Today
I live through many different phases of admiration of
a piece - until it is gone. Sometimes I can remember
the shape and the beauty of a pot I once held in my
hands and I smile, knowing that it is in a collection,
a museum, or an amazing mansion somewhere in the world.
I will be talking about Mata Ortiz
once a month. Next time, I will tell you about my first
trip to Chihuahua, hope you can enjoy this as much as
I do.
Claudia Lovera
Mata
Ortiz Pottery
claudia@pvmirror.com
* The Mata
Ortiz Pottery gallery is located in old town Vallarta
at 268-A Lázaro Cárdenas St. To contact
Claudia Lovera for letters or more information at (322)
222-7407 or by e-mail at info@mataortiz-pottery.com.
To visit the website: www.mataortiz-pottery.com
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