NEW PIECES OF MATA ORTIZ POTTERY AT GALERIA LAMANAI
The beauty, precision and all around allure of the pottery from Mata Ortiz has reached limits probably never expected from even the artists who create this much sought after art form. With their beginnings in Chihuahua, Mexico, the vases, pots or ollas as they are known here in Mexico have now become not only a popular luxury item, but moreso, a precious collection piece. Their elaborate designs depict re-creations of ancestral symbols and yet the artists have found within themselves an individual, creative and original language to make their pieces transform from imitations of pre-hispanic ceramics, becoming refined creations of contemporary art.
What is this attraction to Mata Ortiz pottery? Is it their particular style? The geographical region in which they are produced? The clay and the pigments used? Whatever it is, Mata Ortiz ceramics have been present at Galeria Lamanai for many years and we're extremely excited to offer you our latest arrivals.
ILIANA PAMANES SHARES HER WORK AT GALERIA LAMANAI
Like every March-April for the past couple of years, Akumal was fortunate enough to share the talent of one of Galeria Lamanai's exclusive artists (and friend), Iliana Pamanes. You all know her work, it's so unique that it could never be mistaken for someone else's. Each time Iliana comes, we try to shake things up and give her new and fun challenges. This time, Lucia found some antique wooden shoehorns which she had Iliana transform, and naturally the result was nothing less that perfection.
For those who aren't so familiar with Iliana's work, she generally paints with oil on canvas. Her subjects of choice are regularly characters suffering matters of the heart and soul while experiencing some of life's more mundane moments. Some drink tequila, others contemplate their losses over a cup of coffee. The final result is a haunting reflection of the here and now. For years now, Iliana has also enjoyed painting her subjects on everyday wooden utensils, wooden boxes, and even wine boxes, all of which are a huge part of the collection Galeria Lamanai has on display.
Again we thank Iliana for coming, for sharing with all of us her very intimate perception of life and we can't wait to have her back very soon. By the way, this time she brought a little treat for all of us, our friend and fellow artist Aram Huerta.
GREGORY COLBERT IN MEXICO
It's been a while since the photographic exhibition staged by the Canadian photographer Cregory Colbert left Mexico City's main plaza the Zocalo, but it still lays heavy on everyones soul. We thought we'd share a couple of images and links to the show (eventhough it's more like an installation) and please, please, whatever you do, if you have the chance to be in or near a city where the expo will take place, please go and check it out. The images are breathtaking and you remain in utter awe and disbelief at what Cobert managed to capture through his lens. The huge debate is whether he actually staged them all, whether they are all natural moments or if our friendly neighborhood photoshop had anything to do with the perfection of the images, but in the end what matters is what they transmit. It's been months since Lucia anxiously stood in line to get in and she still talks so positively about it. She was moved, touched and blown-away by the sheer magnitude of the project. She purchased a couple of images which she proudly shows at any opportunity possible. Don't tell her but we think she's a fan! Her favorite is the one of the young buddhist child with the eagle wings. Inspirational!
Link to Gregory Colbert's expo. site:
JULY SHOWCASE ARTIST - WALFRED RODRIGUEZ
Lucia and Galeria Lamanai are proud to introduce Walfred Rodriguez. Certainly some of you already know him or at least are familiar with his work. On her latest trip to Oaxaca, Lucia met with Walfred and together they decided to 'give it a go' and present his pieces in the Galeria. Lucia has long admired Walfred's work and for sometime he has been searching for the adequate representation in the area. We're happy to have him and from the reaction so far, we can see that you're also happy he's here.
Walfred studies at the well-known Fine Arts School of Oaxaca and later at the Rufino Tamayo Fine Arts Workshop, also in Oaxaca. He has been featured in many solo shows throughout Mexico and the U.S.A. and his work has hung alongside many of Mexico's best in leading galleries and Museums nationwide.
"Rodriguez, 26... creates abstracts in bright, bold colors using oils and colored sand. Reds, yellows and oranges wash over his canvases. The subjects can be an anthropomorphic insect resembling a praying mantis that stares right at you, or a skinny, crooked lamppost with two lanterns hanging from it's arms. - It seems to be in motion..." Felicia Cousart Matlosz
At his young age, Walfred Rodriguez is on the right path to becoming one of Mexico's future masters, and today, Galeria Lamanai is thrilled to be a part of, and to be able to share with you his most recent work. Please see more of Walfred's work and his Resume at our website:
What others are saying about Walfred Rodriguez and his work:
VISITING OUR FRIENDS IN OAXACA, JALAPA, MEXICO CITY - JUNE 2008
June was a crazy month for Lucia and everyone at the Galeria, so, when the going gets tough, the tough... go travel through Mexico's beautiful landscapes to visit friends and to stock up on all kinds of beautiful treasures to be able to share them with you!
Lucia checked in on Iliana Pamanes in Xalapa and spent some time looking at work from possible new artists for the gallery (along with a couple of late nights, and ok, just a one or two tequilas!). She took time to visit her old friend Hugo Tovar, whose pieces are extremely popular with our clients. Check his work out on the website, he's doing some amazing work! Also, a trip around that area would not be complete without popping in to see Jacobo and Maria Angeles and their beautiful children who are slowly becoming little adults. Their smiles make any trip worth the while! Lucia brought back alot of their pieces and almost all are already gone. No fret, more are on the way! We'll have to showcase the process of their work. It's so intricate and detailed, it's fascinating. Lucia hadn't seen Manuel Velazquez in a while and was thrilled to discover his new pieces. A couple of them have already sold at the Gallery and the reaction has been nothing but positive.
This trip Lucia met and is proud to present a new a member of the Galeria Lamanai family: Walfred Rodriguez. We'll showcase his work in another post so you get a better feel for what he does. We so hope you like him as much as we do. Again, he has already sold a couple of pieces and it looks as though he'll become another of ours and your favourites.
Lucia wanted to share a few pictures of her friends with you, these friends that are the heart and soul of Galeria Lamanai. Without them Galeria Lamanai simply wouldn't be. They are the fuel that lights Lucia's passion and her inspiration to keep going and presenting you with such talented creators. She hopes you enjoy them and, oh wait, if you look carefully you might even spot her dear friend from Mexico City: 'El Grillo.'
THE TEXTILES OF OAXACA
In her recent travels through Mexico, while visiting artists and searching for 'hidden treasures', Lucia took time to visit a group of artisans, specialising in the traditional art of textile making. Throughout the Oaxacan Sierra there are several groups that continue to produce these gorgeous, hand-made tapestries, but Lucia knows, and has for years been friends with a group which produce nothing but the most impeccable and masterful work. Nowhere else has she found as much quality. Walking through the working site this time, she thought it would be interesting to share a little of what it is these skilled and professional artists do, and above all, the importance of a little insect called the 'cochinilla.' You'd be amazed at what the human being is capable of creating from the use of one, tiny insect.
The cochinilla is a tiny bug that attaches itself to the nopal cactus and since the 1700's it has been known to produce one of the strongest red dyes known to humankind. In fact, in 1758, Oaxaca exported over 1.5 million pounds of the pigment to Europe, Africa and Asia. During the 1700's, cochineal or 'cochinilla' as it's called, was the most valuable commodity on the world stage next to gold and silver. It created the most majestic shades from intense reds to deep purple.
You can find all kinds of information on the web, but the process for making these textiles begins with the cleaning and carding (brushing and washing) of the natural fibres, the spinning, the dyeing with natural pigments and then the hand-weaving of the rugs. The pieces Lucia has brought back are the best quality you can find, because evidently (and sadly we must add), copies and cheap imitations are produced throughout Mexico everyday.
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