November 1st and 2nd mark the annual Día de los Muertos in Mexico, otherwise known as the Day of the Dead.

This joyous celebration is a time of family gatherings and the honoring of past loved ones. It’s an absolute feast for the eyes, showcasing the immense skills of the country’s artisans — and we think it’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate some of the many talented Mexican artists who are honoring the richness of Mexican ceramics in their current work!

Ceramics have long played an important role in the history and culture of Mexico, and it continues to be a strong component to the modern artistic landscape. From those who draw directly from the traditional practices of the regions, to those who focus on their own inner worlds, we’ve found five artists who prove that not only are ceramic practices alive and well in Mexico, but that they are thriving and evolving! 

GUSTAVO PÉREZ 

^{https://gustavoperez.com.https://gustavoperez.com.mx/}

With a career spanning over 50 years, Pérez’s body of work is immense, full of inspirations from writing, music, his residency experiences around the world, as well as the traditional techniques of his country, such as those of Oaxacan blackware. His work is best known for his smooth and elegant vessels, which are abstract in style. 

His current work marks a return to techniques from the beginning of his career, a process of both reviving and evolving. Thrown and altered forms are characterized by undulating curves and precise, map-like designs carved with a razor’s edge. 

If you’d like to learn how Gustavo’s pots are made, check out his workshop Beyond Technique. 

Ana Gomez

^{https://www.aic-iac.org/en/member/ana-gomez/}

Hailing from Saltillo, Mexico, Ana wears multiple creative hats, working as a visual artist, designer, and cultural manager. Ana’s artistic journey primarily revolves around ceramics, and her pieces draw inspiration from some of the most significant aspects of contemporary art: pop culture, everyday objects, and the intricate ties between a globalized world, biased media, consumerism, and mass communication. In her unique approach, she reimagines found and mass-produced objects, subtly evoking the spirit of Duchamp’s ready-mades and Warhol’s iconic Brillo Box. Ana’s art delves into the transformative nature of art itself, becoming a contemporary cultural time capsule, urging us to ponder the very purpose of art and challenging societal norms like consumerism.

Roxana Cervantes

^{https://roxanacervantes.com.mx/about.html}

Originally from Tierra Caliente Michoacana, Roxana’s work delves into the enchanting aspects of landscapes, dreamlike geographies, and memories, along with her own inner world and personal experiences. Her work is a reflection of a range of emotions, from nostalgia to a deep connection with nature and a growing concern for its preservation. It’s an intimate and subjective exploration, offering diverse interpretations through the transformation of various territories, both rural and urban.

Mariana Velazquez

^{http://marianavelazquez.com/} 

Born in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mariana has been working in ceramics for over 35 years, and has exhibited her work internationally, along with teaching out of her Veracruz-based studio.  Her ceramic sculptures take inspiration from organic shapes found in nature, which she feels is a way of paying homage to the magnificence, elegance, and beauty that can be perceived through the senses. Living in an inspiring environment, as well as maintaining a deep practice of self-reflection, has significantly influenced her artistic journey both personally and professionally. These experiences add a depth and richness that is apparent in her work.

Juan Villavicencio

^{https://www.juanvillavicencio.com/}

Juan is a ceramic artist from Ensenada, Mexico, now based in Tijuana. He’s fascinated by the intersection of art, craftsmanship, and design, and their impact on identity. Drawing inspiration from Mexican curios and kitsch crafts found in Tijuana’s souvenir shops, such as Talavera ceramics and velvet sculptures, Juan uses a playful approach to blend elements from pre-Hispanic heritage, pop culture, traditional ceramics, nature, and street graffiti. His thought-provoking and amusing artwork questions how these crafts shape Mexican and American identities.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief introduction to contemporary ceramic art in Mexico. We’ve really only scratched the surface, so we encourage you to get online and explore the full richness that this country’s artists are offering. Whether it’s celebrating Mexico’s culture, examining the impacts of colonialism, or exploring ideas of the self, there’s an impressive breadth of work being created.

And, if you yourself are a ceramic artist based in Mexico, why not add yourself to our Artist Directory? We’re on a goal to promote artists from around the world, and would love to see more artists from your beautiful country!