Recent donations of Mata Ortiz pottery and prints to the New Mexico State University Art Museum are taking center stage in the exhibition titled “Mata Ortiz: Highlights from the Lysbeth Warren Anderson Collection.” The collection is a significant addition to NMSU’s Permanent Art Collection, showcasing the artistry of more than 20 potters in the unique Mata Ortiz style that harmonizes tradition with modern and contemporary innovation.
Mexican potter Juan Quezada, known for revitalizing traditional Casas Grandes and Paquimé pottery into Mata Ortiz, is a prominent figure in the exhibition. Eva G. Flynn, outreach and education coordinator, remarked on the potters' approach, stating, “The potters of Mata Ortiz work in the balance of using techniques passed down from generations, while forging their own contemporary aesthetics.”
Warren Anderson, the donor of the extensive collection, was driven by her diverse interests in art, anthropology, geology, and history. Her collection includes nine rare prints by Quezada, reflecting her passion for blending various areas of study. Anderson's dedication and the exhibition as a whole pay homage to the enduring influence of Quezada's re-articulation of Indigenous artistic techniques.
Flynn further elaborated on the unique pottery-making process, emphasizing, “Handmade without a potter’s wheel, the pottery showcases the innovative styles artists have developed based on the original Indigenous-inspired designs, highlighting the transformation of the tradition over the past five decades.”
The exhibition, located in the UAM’s Bunny Conlon Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery in Devasthali Hall, will be open to the public through July 20, offering a glimpse into the evolution of Mata Ortiz pottery and prints. Visitors can explore this cultural showcase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For those interested in experiencing the exhibition firsthand, the UAM invites the public to visit their location at 1308 E. University Avenue in Devasthali Hall. More information can be found on the museum's website at uam.nmsu.edu or by contacting artmuseum@nmsu.edu.
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CUTLINE 1: “Mata Ortiz: Highlights from the Lysbeth Warren Anderson Collection” is on display in the NMSU Art Museum in Devasthali Hall through July 20. The exhibition showcases the artistry of more than 20 potters in the distinct Mata Ortiz style that blends tradition with modern and contemporary innovation. (NMSU photo by Chloe Dunlap)
CUTLINE 2: Recent donations of Mata Ortiz pottery and prints to the University Art Museum mark the first works of Mata Ortiz pottery added into NMSU’s Permanent Art Collection. Visitors can see the collection from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday in Devasthali Hall at 1308 E. University Avenue. (NMSU photo by Chloe Dunlap)