Angela on Art

Artesanias Mexicana

Artesanias Mexicana

Created by hand by indigenous and rural communities using methods passed down through generations

All of the indigenous cultures in Mexico, still making art in the traditional ways, makes me think of what was lost in the Americas when they were colonized.Thankfully, today there is a strong market for these crafts, for tourists and locals alike. Frida Kahlo was a big collector of housewares, jewelry and clothing.

La Casa Azul, Coyoacan, Mexico City, birthplace and lifetime home of Frida Kahlo

I love that many of our framing customers bring in art from Pacific Northwest Tribal Groups, as well as Latin-American Groups, who are actively reviving language, art forms and cultural practices

Mexico is huge and has many indigenous peoples. In Mexico City I saw art from many of the regions and traditions. I bought this Amate bark painting from the state of Guerrero. Amatl (Nahuatl for paper) has been made since before 300 BCE from the bark of fig and mulberry trees. Spanish colonists banned it to destroy native records but production continued secretly.

Sonia Garcia Martinez, Tepecoacuilco de Trujano, Guerrero.

This ink drawing on white amate bark depicts a pueblo setting with houses, mountains, cooking and communal activities.

Huichol art is named after the indigenous people from the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Their artwork features meaningful symbolism like maize, peyote, blue deer, arrows, serpents and pumas. One medium is sculptural art where a 3D form (often an animal) is covered in a single layer of colorful beads pressed into wax. I watched an artist making a huge puma in a gallery in Puerto Vallarta that specialized in this art. It takes a long time to press those tiny beads into a form! Another medium is colorful yarn pressed into a wood backing covered in wax or resin.

Beadwork on a gourd with symbols of peyote and serpents.

Art from Tierra Huichol Gallery

Yarn art with symbols of Shaman’s bottles and a candle, offerings to the gods. Bead art and yarn art were purchased at Tierra Huichol Gallery in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

Cat head, made in Tonala, Jalisco by Ken Edwards in the 1970s. Tonala pottery is rooted in pre-Hispanic traditions by the Tonalteca people. Their earthy tones, hand painted birds, animals, floral designs and desert landscapes are very recognizable and collectible. I purchased this flower frog years ago from Goodwill and it has been a cherished piece ever since.

Some of my favorite Mexican art comes from Oaxaca and Chiapas. I love the colorful weavings, complex embroidery, traditional pottery, gourd carving and art prints. Everything is so rich in symbolism, culture and joy.

Animalito, wool plushie from Chiapas. The colors and details are so beautiful.

Oaxacan black clay Diablo cup, Oaxacan “Whistler” cup and embroidered “Together for a New World” from Chiapas depicting Zapatistas as flowers, gifted by a friend (Thank you, Akesha)

‘Copa Alegre’ which translates to ‘Cheerful Cup’ by @valeuk_ayuuk and a Jicara (dried calabash gourd, hand-carved and dyed and used for drinking my favorite spirit, mezcal). They’re both from Oaxaca and mezcal is too!

Mercado bags from the highlands of Chiapas. The color combinations are gorgeous.

Adorable pottery planter from Chiapas, with air plant from Queen Anne Frame and Gift.

All of these pieces were collected by myself on three visits to Mexico (plus one visit to Goodwill and one gift) When I travel I love to find art that is made locally and is obviously crafted with skill, care, tradition and pride. Often the story is: I was having the best day and stumbled on this market or gallery and out of all the exciting things, I chose this!