Metal Folk Art

Alvin Starkman MA, LL.B.

Aficionados of folk art from Oaxaca in southern Mexico are already familiar with Arden Aibel Rothstein and Leah Rothstein Mexican Folk Art Anya family of artists from Oaxaca (Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2007) . It is surprising to learn, however, that some people with an interest in the business of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, are not even aware of this pioneering work - especially since its first publication in 2002.

The 2007 edition of the Mexican folk art is a comprehensive compilation and detailed review of each major category of contemporary folk art from Oaxaca, displayed in a user friendly format refreshing. The book is divided into ten chapters, each devoted to a different medium: ceramics, textiles, woodcarving, metal (including tin work, cutlery and knives), miniature toys, jewelry, candles, baskets and dried flower crafts, with the last chapter on the Day of the Dead.

In general, each chapter begins with a general description of a form of art, including significant variations within. In Chapter ceramics, for example, the divisions are Terra Cotta, green glazed, Multi-color glossy black (Barro Negro) and painted red. Often, a village in the central valleys of Oaxaca is known for the production of a specific type of folk art. Accordingly, in some cases, a chapter then describes a particular pueblo, giving the reader additional context. We find descriptions, among others, the cities of ceramics Atzompa, San Bartolo Coyotepec and Ocotlan.

When a family is known for a particular innovation or its adeptness at creating a job, a family story follows. The individual craftsmen are then highlighted. For the black pottery of San Bartolo Coyotepec, there are descriptions of the family De Nieto Castillo, whose famous Doa�a Rosa has been a member as well as biographies of his son Don Valente Nieto Real and members of his clan, and Pedro Martinez family with biographies of famous Carlomagno Pedro Marta�nez and his family.

Ultimately, Mexico highlights the folk art of 100 artists from 50 families living in Oaxaca or one of 13 towns and villages. In most cases we are informed about the personality, world view and the motivation of each individual carver, weaver or potter, and provided with a biography, enriched by the inclusion of a direct quote. In this way, the reader gains an insight into the inspiration of each craftsman. In many cases, the authors also include a section on techniques used by the artist, which includes the supply of various raw materials such as wool from the Mixtec region of the state for the manufacture of carpets and wall hangings clays or other areas of the state to change the tone and texture of sculptures and processing methods, including extraction of natural dyes from fruits, plants, soils and cochineal.

With its glossy cover and 700 photographs, Mexican folk art can legitimately be called a coffee table book. But it's much more. The pictures themselves make the book, and artists to life Apolinar Aguilar of Ocotlan, forging a piece of red hot metal recycled in a hunting knife art, an exhibition of provocative women painted clay of night made by his cousin, son of Julian celebrated Guillermina Aguilar Jacobo a�ngeles de San Marta�n Tilcajete carving a wood figure of the copal tree, or standing next to wife Maria and their families, each proudly displaying exquisitely painted Alebrije; Teotitla�n Isaac Va�squez del Valle weaver, working at his craft to create a tapete, inspired by the model.