By Signe Hammer
San Miguel PEN is excited to present Adolfo Caballero of YAM gallery, telling the story of William Spratling, a foundational figure in modern Mexican design, who was also a noted collector of Mesoamerican art. Adolfo and a guest will appear in the second-floor auditorium at Bellas Artes, Hernandez Macias 75, at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 31.
Born in western New York State, William Spratling became the legendary character Guillermo Spratling, Mexico’s “silver gringo” and passionate collector of pre-Columbian art. He knew everybody, even promoting Diego Rivera’s work at New York City galleries. This led to the first U.S. exhibition of Mexican arts at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In the early 1930s, Spratling moved to Taxco, for centuries the site of silver mines, and began designing silver jewelry executed by Mexican craftsmen. This attracted other craftsmen, working in tin, copper, textiles, and furniture, all designed by Spratling, who also trained a whole generation of new craftsmen who went on to produce their own work. All this occurred while taking epic archeological field trips with Rivera and artist-ethnologist Miguel Covarrubias.
Telling this fascinating story is Chilean-born, longtime San Miguel resident Adolfo Caballero, the founder and owner of the YAM gallery in the Instituto Allende, who was dedicated to promoting contemporary art and jewelry design. Trained in fashion design at the Design School of Santiago de Chile, Adolfo is passionate about excellence in craft and art history. In the 90s, his encounter with Violante Ulrich, owner of the original William Spratling estate in Taxco, opened his eyes to the importance of the major creator, Spratling. For more than 15 years, Adolfo and Violante have collaborated to showcase the designs of the famous American from Taxco in YAM Gallery. As the finale of Adolfo’s presentation, he will interview Violante on Spratling’s legacy and the preservation of his work.
San Miguel PEN is a chapter of PEN International, the organization of writers that defends freedom of expression around the world. Your 200-peso contribution helps sustain the work of San Miguel PEN: providing funds to aid Mexican journalists receiving credible death threats, supporting local literacy programs and freedom of expression in Mexico and globally— working on behalf of imprisoned writers around the world. San Miguel PEN is especially proud of its efforts in assisting our endangered Mexican journalists and the families of far too many who are murdered. Any additional contribution would be greatly appreciated.
Please note: Due to a new policy at Bellas Artes, no tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are available online at sanmiguelpen.com, at Ticket Central in the Biblioteca, or starting one hour before the event, inside Vivali Restaurant at Hernandez Macias 66.
“William Spratling, More Human than Divine:
Celebrating the Father of Modern Mexican Design and Collector of Mesoamerican Art”
Presented in English by Adolfo Caballero
Tue., Jan. 31, 6pm
Bellas Artes Second Floor Auditorium
Hernandez Macias 75
200 pesos contribution
