Clay People: Pueblo Indian Figurative Traditions
May 14, 1999 – October 27, 1999

This innovative exhibition, a collaborative effort among artists and scholars, presents both historic and contemporary views of Pueblo Indian ceramics inspired by the human form. Seldom seen, century-old historic masterpieces from Cochiti and Tesuque Pueblos give viewers as sense of the imagination and creativity of that era’s potters. The historic pieces, loaned by more than fifteen museums and private collectors, are shown with new work by three acclaimed artists who have expanded this tradition: Nora Naranjo Morse and Roxanne Swentzell of Santa Clara and Virgil Ortiz of Cochiti.

Remarkable figurative ceramics evolved after the United States took control of the Southwest in the 1840s, particularly in two Pueblo Indian communities that are close to Santa Fe: Cochiti and Tesuque. Between 1880 and 1910 potters of Cochiti made large standing figures of circus performers, cowboys, Indians, merchants, priests, and others. These expressive figures were made by the coil and scrape method. The figures of Tesuque were smaller, seated, and usually modeled rather than coiled. From 1882 until the 1930s, they were marketed by curio dealers as a standardized type called the Rain God. Although interest waned from the 1930s until the 1960s, some potters kept the genre alive.

Nora Naranjo-Morse is a multi-talented artist who works in clay, bronze, jewelry, and video, and whose poetry has been published widely. Roxanne Swentzell’s powerful images exhibit great expressive energy and often communicate her own feelings. Both were featured in the recent exhibitions Pottery by American Indian Women: The Legacy of Generations at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Twentieth Century American Sculpture at the White House: Exhibition VI. Virgil Ortiz has been influenced by old figurines from his community, and he has sought inspiration in contemporary non-Indian culture. His work has been featured in commercial galleries and in small exhibitions at several museums. Clay People is the first to feature him prominently.

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