Mata Ortiz Pottery

  Linda Berck will be displaying and discussing Indian pottery of the southwest, mainly Mata Ortiz and the work of Maria Martinez as well as some hands on work in clay to make coil pots. Berck was an art teacher for 28 years...the last 16 at Lemont High school (retired 2 years ago from LHS) teaching basic art classes and Ceramics. Linda was traveling through the SW attending special showings of clay construction and outdoor firings and meeting some of the potters from the village of Mata Ortiz and Spencer McCallum. McCallum had discovered works with and promoted Juan Quezada, the young man who researched as a child the shards of clay he found around his village and brought the technique back to present date. Berck stated “I love history and pottery tells the story of ancient peoples and how they lived, their traditions and beliefs.”

With an olla as their canvas, the potters of Mata Ortiz have imprinted in them not only re-creations of ancestral symbols, but they have searched within their own spirit and creativity and have been able to conceive a unique artistic language, creative and original.  They have passed through the imitation of pre-Hispanic ceramics, and have moved on to a refined creation of contemporary art.

 It is considered to be art and not crafts because their work is not routinely elaborated with a repetitive, popular style. The potters of Mata Ortiz combine both intellectual and aesthetic elements.  Each artist has freely looked for his or her own form of expression, his or her own language through which to communicate.

     “Their imagery evokes Op Art, M.C. Escher and computer chips in combination with plumed serpents and macaws.”  William Gilbert 

     Tucson is the area Linda hopes to settle in some day. With its  old Spanish missions, the Indians and the history of that area....working in clay...and fibers of Devils, of basket weaving, Pre Anglo man...and was at one time the bottom of the sea...it has many caves from the ancient seas and is noted for its rock formations. Truly a land of spirits, ancient Indian cultures...their art on clay tells their stories.

 The public is welcome; a donation for the local food pantry is appreciated.

          Free parking.  Refreshments will be served.