outside art

The richly adorned face of a Maya man suggests his royal lineage in an original vase from Oscar Rodolfo Mendoza. Detailed in high relief, the ceramic vase is also adorned with traditional motifs attributed to the Maya Pibil people. Little is known about them, other than that the Pibil were a warrior and migrant community that came to El Salvador from Mexico. This jar is treated to achieve an antiqued look, featuring red and orange hues obtained from achiote seeds.

A bright yellow rooster with an orange and red tail struts across a blue background in this handcrafted decorative ceramic plate. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture is applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.

Riding on a swing, a whimsical yellow chicken is depicted among green leaves against a blue background. Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz creates this piece of ceramic wall art in the centuries-old style known as the dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath.

Inspired by Mexico's traditional Maria dolls, Maria Isabel Cruz creates this ceramic wall plaque. It depicts a lovely doll, realized in a variety of colors against a red background. The artisan works in the centuries-old tradition known as the dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. A length of nylon cord on the back provides for easy hanging.

The charming doll originated in Mexico City when many Otomi and Mazahua people migrated to the capital in the 1970s. Due to their unique traditional clothing, the women became known as "Marias." An educational program was established for them and artist Diego Rivera's daughter, Guadalupe Rivera Marin, encouraged crafting these popular rag dolls as a way to generate income in the 1980s. Artisan women took the idea home to their Mazahua and Otomi towns and the dolls became popular throughout Mexico and abroad.

Five colorful cats across a yellow background smile on this handcrafted decorative ceramic plate perfect for the feline fancier. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.

Presented by Arti Sharma in India, this adorable planter will house your favorite flowers and plants with a smile on his face. Indian artisans hand craft the planter from oven-fired ceramic, glazing the outside in white and black, while the inside remains unglazed.

Alejandro Chávez depicts Saint Martín de Porres, a Dominican brother born in Lima in 1579. Trained in the medical arts, Martin worked in the convent infirmary but also showed great compassion to the sick outside the convent. Chávez crafts the wooden box to house this retablo, or diorama, and paints it in bright colors. The figures are carefully modeled from ceramic plaster and painted by hand.

Working in the tradition of Talavera ceramics, Mexican artisan Pedro Tecayehuatl designs this planter that is perfect for displaying flowers, succulents, and other house plants. Crafted of ceramic, this beautiful piece of wall decor features colorful and intricate floral motifs that are painted by hand.

Talavera is a distinctive art form brought to Mexico by artisans from Talavera de la Reina, Spain. The ceramic artisans of Puebla, Mexico then incorporated Chinese designs, thus creating the blue and oyster-white patterns traditionally associated with Talavera Poblana. Today there are also more "contemporary" designs that include yellow, green, orange, mauve, black and red.

National and international conventions require that a rigorous procedure be followed in the elaboration of authentic Talavera-style ceramics. Each individual piece will be slightly different, and therefore a unique work of art.

This vase depicts a group of women sitting outside of a convent. The incredibly vivid colors and geometric shapes employed by the artist convey the life of the people illustrated here. Francisco Coronado uses the passion of various colors and contrast of black alongside bright yellow, to make a dance of harmonious color bursts in unexpected places.

Women sit outside a monastery, their traditional garments flashing vivid colors and brilliant geometric. Francisco Guerreros uses passionate red along with black and bright yellow to create a harmonious dance of color on this brilliant ceramic vase.