"New Mexico Style" Takes the Mystery Out of Pueblo Potting with Kathleen Wall of Jemez

The media is starting to sit up and take notice of the newer generation of Native American artists that has been emerging for some time, and rightly so .Its contingency consists of some of the finest artists in the world, not just the Indian world.  They are taking the traditional and putting their own signature spin on centuries-old styles which helps Native American art to evolve as it always has.

Kathleen Wall of Jemez Pueblo is one such artist. She is a potter, bronze sculptor and installation artist.  She will be one of more than 1100 juried artists participating in the 2011 SWAIA Indian Market, which will be taking place on Santa Fe's historic Plaza this coming weekend.  Known for her whimsical Koshari clown sculptures and masks, Wall also loves to create larger clay sculptures of traditional dancers as well as depict lives in various Native American cultures.

The IAIA- (Institute of American Indian Art) trained artist made an appearance this morning on KASA Fox 2's "New Mexico Style" in Albuquerque to talk about her work, explain the clay sculpting process and talk about her collaborative workshop that will begin at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on August 29.  For more information about the workshop, contact the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center directly at 505-212-7052.

Watch the interview with "New Mexico Style" hosts Nikki Stanzione and Kristen VanDyke HERE:

http://www.kasa.com/dpp/nm_style/features/potting-101-from-jemez-pueblo



PUEBLO POTTER WALL'S "CELEBRATING NATIVE LEGACIES" NAMED IN TOP 5 EXHIBITS IN THE ABQ

Jemez Pueblo potter Kathleen Wall's solo exhibition "Celebrating Native Legacies: Works in Clay by Kathleen Wall"  was recently extended through May 2010 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I've written about it before and raved, but, honestly, every time I go see it, I learn something new. 

It was recently named one of the top 5 art exhibits in Albuquerque for 2009 by The Albuquerque Journal.   The work is as special as the artist herself. 

Last week, she spoke with Diego Mulligan of KSFR Santa Fe Public Radio's "The Journey Home."  Here is the link so that you can learn about Kathleen Wall and her exhibit (NOTE:  Her interview took place in the last ten minutes of the radio cast):

http://diegoradio.com/wp-content/uploads/1-22-10.mp3

Scaling the 'Wall' to Artistic Perfection at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

One of the most exciting things about Albuquerque is that there is always something going on, whether it's waking up to a crew filming the cable TV series "Crash" on your street, hearing the B-52s at the casino, taking in mariachis in the Plaza at Old Town, attending an ArtsCrawl, or stumbling upon fantastic art exhibits that you didn't even know were going on!

For locals and tourists alike, if you haven't been to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, there's no excuse for not taking the time to check it out. I've been meaning to go for a while now, but by chance I found myself in "el barrio" and thought I'd pop in to have a look--SO glad I did.

Since I'm now a New Mexican, I actually got in for four bucks instead of the normal six. This was pretty exciting, and my dinero was way better spent there than at Starbucks. The lobby currently features a marvelous display of art created by children from the Indian school on the Jemez reservation. A number of these kids are the offspring of some of the most famous and esteemed potters from the Jemez tribe. Avid Native American pottery collectors will recognize the names Wall, Gachupin, Yepa, among others. From paintings on canvas to handmade aprons to friendship bowls, the works elicit awe in light of the fact they were made by children. Nonetheless, they all bring a smile to your face. And the best part is, most of the pieces are available for purchase! How special for these children that, while most public schools in this country are cutting art programs, they are learning the ropes from master artisans and carrying on the tradition of generations.

Part of the overall experience of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is getting to browse through the books and manhandle contemporary pottery in the gift shop. You can also take in a wonderfully informative and up-close and personal video of the late Maria Martinez and her son making their distinct San Ildefonso pottery, view examples of Native pottery through the centuries, or watch Native performers bring their tribe's dances to life in the courtyard. At present,however, the main event is taking place in the South Gallery with the exhibition of Celebrating Native Legacies:Works in Clay by Kathleen Wall of Jemez Pueblo.

I was completely unprepared for this exhibit, mostly due to the scope, and the overwhelming detail that Ms. Wall, one of the most skilled Native potters working today, brings to these characters that include some depictions of herself and fellow tribespeople. Immediately upon entering the gallery, which allows the spectator to go right up to the pieces and touch them, I was moved to tears. Wall's ability to fully capture the spirit, energy and warmth of the Jemez people in the eyes and physicality of her figures is remarkable. From room's corner to corner, the gallery was filled with distinct personalities, who seem to whisper, in an amalgamation of voices, "Come to me. Welcome. This is who we are. Let us show you." While Wall's works depict tradition--honoring family, elders and making pottery--it is quite exciting to see how contemporary her style is. Like all art forms, they are constantly evolving, and the old ways give way to new traditions and forms. Perhaps the only thing traditional about her creations is that they are made from clay.

The highlight of Kathleen Wall's exhibit is her rendering of six female elders of the Walatowa tribe singing and dancing. The child-sized figurines are aptly placed before a wide screen upon which plays a looping video of the same women in flesh and blood mirroring their clay counterparts.

There are few words to describe walking among the "spirits" in this artistic celebration of life, the living and traditions. It can only be experienced first-hand. Celebrating Native Legacies opened back in February, but it will continue through October 11, 2009. The majority of Wall's works are available for purchase. For more information visit http://www.indianpueblo.org/.