Mexican Fine Folk Pottery in Chicago

The Consumer Maven was having a conversation with Elimar Loza, of Artesanias D'Mexico, located at 1644 W. 18th Street in Chicago.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mexican Fine Folk Art items, this is the place in Chicago to look, learn and buy. 

We took the photos that you see from the window outside, which accounts for the glare since Spring and the sun have finally returned to Chicago.  We have a policy of always asking before we start snapping photos, especially where artists and art objects are concerned, but always as a matter of courtesy.   Eli shared with us that they could not allow photos of items in the store (but outside was okay) because certain artists were concerned about their designs being copied.  We discussed how many consumers cannot decern between something that looks like a piece of fine fok art versus something that is just copied and mass produced.  How interesting, I thought, that people who have no artistic inspiration will just copy someone else's work and 'mass produce' it with no reunumeration back to the original artist.

This brings to mind two issues.  The first is a disrespect for an artist and the the passion, creativity and beauty that they put into a piece.  One reason original pieces of art of any form have a uniqueness to them is that they have their own 'energy' that is put into it by the artist, during production and through their intent to create an item of beauty.  A mass produced piece only has flat dimension of mass production, and is of no benefit other than "looking nice" versus "looking elegant and having a history."   Whether we choose to buy an original piece or a cheaply made knock off is a matter of taste and consumer choice in most cases.

The second major issue that is apparent is of branding.  Larger firms invest good sums of money to develop brand equity, and to make sure that the marketplace perceives there is brand differentiation where this can appropriately exist.  I'm not talking about phony baloney "making up" a brand difference, but pointing out through integrated public relations where these exist and what the benefits are to a customer. 

Then there are artists.  Who gives them a voice and way to educate the public in why their pieces cost more than the cheap knockoffs someone may find somewhere else, sold by the insipidly inartistically uninspired?  Enter Artesanias D'Mexico.  When you speak with Elimar Loza, you find a woman who passionately speaks about the artisans, the pieces of art in their beautiful store, and a person who respects the work of the artists who fill their store with a wide variety of hand made, original works. 

An example of the uniqueness of their pottery items, for example, can be found in the information Elimar provided for us regarding Talavera Pottery. 

Talavera Pottery

Talavera is the term used to describe faithful reproductions of the pottery that is made in the Spanish village of Talvera de la Reina.  This style of pottery dates back to the 16th century colonial era.  It was eagerly adopted by Mexican artisans who added their own designs and colors in an ageless pattern representing the mixture of two cultures.  The techniques involved have been carried on by generations of old potter families.  By examining the process of these we can better understand the mastery involved of these artists. 

Two types of clay are blended and left to soak in water in order to improved their blended quality and malleability.  The potter then drains away the water and walks on the clay to give it better uniformity and consistency.  He then produces different pieces on a potter’s wheel (or in olds), and lets them dry for approximately 8-12 days.  Then they are baked in an oven at 850° C (1562° F).  After the first firing, a white varnish is applied, which gives the pieces their characteristic enameled appearance.  The pottery is then decorated using colors prepared with mineral pigments.  Afterwards these pieces are again fired in the oven for about 12 hours.  The potter is required to imagine what the final colors will look like before the process is completed, because only after the intense heat of the second baking (1050°C (1922°F),  will the colors and tones be revealed to the artists. 

Artesanias D'Mexico also carries Papel Picado, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) items, Black Pottery from Oaxaca, Copper Pottery, Alebrijes, and many other items, including  jewelry.  Artesanias D'Mexico is located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on the South Side, on 18th Street near Ashland Avenue, and is easily accessible from the CTA Pink Line 18th Street stop.  Phone Number:  312/563-9779

For more information on Artesanias D'Mexico, take a look at the Tamale Chica Chronicales Blog (another happy customer) where there are items from her personal collection shown.