The Folk Tree presents the exhibition
Oaxacan Folk Art Masters from March 9 – April 2, 2011.
This show features the work of master Zapotec weaver Sergio
Martinez and tinsmith Victor Hernandez. Martinez and Hernandez
will be present at the gallery for the duration of the exhibition,
demonstrating their artistry. Also included in the show
are ceramic pieces by Enedina Vasquez and her accomplished daughters,
carved wood figures by Inocencio Vasquez, objects made from
recycled materials by
Claudia Martinez and Ricardo Hernandez, the jewelry of Nancy
Barragan and that of other silversmiths. The public is invited
to a reception on Saturday, March 12, from 2 - 6 P.M.
Sergio Martinez is a weaver and designer of heirloom quality
tapestries. For generations, he and his family have woven
fine wool rugs. He brings his own unique perspective to
rug making, distinguishing it from the realm of mass-produced,
commercial and machine made pieces. Each item is created
with hand spun wool and is hand woven. Natural and Swiss
aniline dyes are used for the color. Each piece is one
of a kind.
Sergio’s tapestries are in the collections of discerning
rug collectors throughout the world. He has exhibited at The
Museum of Natural History, Santa Fe; La Zandunga Gallery, San
Miguel de Allende, Mexico; La Lana Wools and La Unica Cosa,
both in Taos; Tribes Gallery, Moss Landing, CA; Nuestra Tierra,
Half Moon Bay, CA; and other fine stores and galleries. His
work has been featured in countless design and interior decorating
publications, including Architectural Digest (cover), the Smithsonian
Magazine (2003), The Sacramento Bee, Artes de Mexico: A Tourist
Guide to Mexico, and Mexican Textiles: Spirit and Style by Masaka
Takahashi.
Tinwork represents one of Mexico’s most popular and artistic
traditions. It has been used for generations to create
items for the home, such as lamps, candlesticks, and kitchen
utensils, and also for religious items. Oaxaca is home to many
busy workshops creating new designs every day, including those
by Victor Hernandez, whose pieces range from small boxes and
ornaments to mirrors, frames, and more. Generally, the
technique is to take very thin sheets of iron and place them
in molten tin, forming a shiny silver and more durable surface.
Since tin is very flexible, it can be shaped, cut and easily
soldered into an infinite number of forms. Victor Hernandez
describes the process in the publication Artes de Mexico: "Engraving
is done directly on the tin sheet by hammering, and the rest
we do little by little using a burin or graver. We do everything
by hand.”
Oaxaca is a state in the southeastern part of Mexico known for
the richness of its folk art, its history, temperate climate,
architecture, and archeological sites. Throughout The
Folk Tree’s 25 years of existence, it has highlighted
the art of this region and is proud to present the work of several
of its finest practitioners in the exhibition Oaxacan Folk Art
Masters.
The Folk Tree is located at 217 South Fair Oaks Avenue, minutes
walking distance from the Gold Line’s Del Mar Station
(and just fifteen minutes from downtown Los Angeles off the
end of the 110 freeway) near the heart of Old Pasadena.
Gallery hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5.
For more information, contact The Folk Tree at 626/795-8733
or Gail Mishkin at 626/793-4828. |
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