By Susan Page
“Breathtaking!” “Gorgeous colors!” “Exquisite brushwork!” “Stunning!” “Such intricate detail!”
These are some of the comments viewers make about the ceramic work of the famous Tonalá artist, Angel Ortiz. In the 1960s, Ortiz was an essential figure in the preservation and revival of the traditional folk ceramics created in Tonalá for hundreds of years. Even the Victoria and Albert Museum in London carries works from this venerable ceramic town.
The work of Ortiz will be featured at Galeria Atotonilco’s Open House, Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29, from noon to 5pm both days. The gallery has been collecting Ortiz’s work for 18 years and exhibits the largest and most representative selection of his work available anywhere, even at the artist’s own studio. Ortiz’s son, Jose Angel Ortiz, has learned from his father and now also creates exquisite works equal in quality to his father’s.
The Tonalá Tradition
The Ortiz family’s work lies within the tradition of burnished ceramics that goes back to pre-Hispanic times in the town of Tonalá, near Guadalajara, but they have expanded their designs, their surface decorations, and their range of colors to create a unique statement. Any one of their pieces is a singular work of art. They have been widely rewarded for their innovations, winning competitions, and selling work to major collections.
«If these were paintings,» said a recent observer, «they would be thousands of dollars, but ceramic work is still reasonably priced.»
The Gallery Setting and Collection
Galeria Atotonilco is a 6,000-square-foot showroom filled with a variety of folk art, historic photographs, country antique furniture, and a spectacular collection of textiles. It is found five miles north of town on eight lush acres in a much-published architecturally interesting building. The collection is widely considered to be the finest exhibition and sale of folk art in the entire country.
Why is Folk Art Important?
Authentic folk art (to be distinguished from souvenirs made to look like folk art) has its roots in indigenous culture and has been handed down through families for many generations, sometimes hundreds of years. Each artist has acquired a deep knowledge of materials and techniques, a passion for quality, and high-level skills honed over years of working and learning from family members or village artists. Folk art is an expression of the heart and soul of Mexico—of what makes Mexico and her people so profoundly revered and loved.
As one folk artist wrote: “A piece of folk art contains more than hours and hours of work.
A piece of folk art contains in itself the tradition of a community, the heart, the soul,
the thoughts, and the emotions of the artisans creating their work, often with tears.”
Folk art is entirely regional. Artists in one village all work in the same traditional craft, and nowhere else in the world will you find that style of work. It would be rare to find a woodcarver in a town where the tradition is ceramics. Towns are immensely proud of the art that defines them, that speaks of the distinctive identity of that town and the talent and passion that keeps their craft alive and unique in the world.
The subjects portrayed in folk art are usually scenes of simple country life, nature, mythology, the Day of the Dead, religion, traditional arts, and humor. A common theme is a duality: sun and moon, male and female, life and death, day and night—the yin/yang of Mexican culture. The mermaid embodies both land and sea and so is a symbol of the universe.
Country Antique Furniture
For anyone furnishing or updating a home, the gallery’s collection of Mexican country furniture is must-see. The collection includes pieces that date from colonial times, as early as 1750, to tables, chairs, benches, and trasteros (kitchen shelf units) from the late 19th to the early 20th century. The gallery specializes in pieces that still have their original paint, and every piece has been carefully restored, so it is ready to go into your home.
Directions to the gallery can be found on the gallery website (galeriaatotonilco.com), or by phoning the gallery at 415 185 2225. Better yet, type “Galeria Atotonilco” into your GPS, and it will bring you right to us.
See you this weekend. Refreshments will be served.
Open House
Angel Ortiz Ceramics
Sat. and Sun., Jan 28 and 29, noon to 5pm
Galleria Atotonilco
For directions, see website or call
415 185 2225
