by Susan Page

It is a special privilege to live in a country with an enormous diversity of folk art. No matter what the décor or style of your home, a work of folk art will add vibrancy, character, and a unique conversation piece, and will be an expression of the joy you feel living amidst Mexican's warmth and color.

Mexican folk art is not only a form of artistic expression. It is a vital element of ethnic identity, essential to the preservation of Mexico's distinctive culture, in age where the world is in danger of become homogenous. If you live in Mexico and you don't have one or more lovable items of Mexican folk art in your home, you are missing a rich emotional experience, a chance to be reminded daily of the heart and soul of Mexico, and the opportunity to make a vital contribution to the culture you have come to embrace.

Creators of "popular arts" pour the love of their country and of their family and village into every piece they create. These traditional arts are deeply rooted in the ancient history of Mexico and speak of both the passion and the delight the artists feel for their beloved culture.

Folk art remains entirely regional. Each village creates an art form unique to that region that dates back decades or in some cases centuries and is handed down by dedicated parents and neighbors through generations. Artists enjoy a strong identity and a feeling of belonging and pride, as they strive to preserve their traditional techniques and stories.

Folk art serves a vital role in expressing and preserving traditional beliefs, values, and history. Paintings on ceramics, sculptures or carvings might depict the history of the village, important local legends, or traditional country life. Common themes include flowers, trees, birds and animals, demonstrating a close connection with the earth in village life.

It could be said that Mexican folk art is the yin and yang of Mexico because duality shows up everywhere: sun and moon, male and female, light and dark, day and night, human and animal (in the traditional nahual figures). The mermaid is common because she represents both land and sea. Skeletons in Mexican folk are not about death; they are about the duality of life and death, because the skeletons are never dead. They are dancing, taking a shower, feeding their children, attending a wedding, or playing games. Other common themes include various professions, vendors at marketplaces, spirituality, and delightful humor and irony.

The contrast between the images of suffering and tragedy that permeate the Catholic and colonial art of the Spanish conquerors, and the generally happy and colorful themes of "popular" art with its indigenous origins, is quite striking!

Folk art transcends language. It gives indigenous groups with no common language a universal communication. And for all of us, certain works may evoke emotions that defy expression in words.

The economic importance of folk art cannot be overstated. Artisans value their traditions with all their heart and pour their souls into their work. And, they have to sell it. If young people see the village artists doing well, they will be inspired to continue the work. No one wants to see a traditional art form with a long history die out.

Are young people still learning the village craft? Yes, to a very great extent. Even if they go on to become teachers, doctors, lawyers, stone masons, carpenters – they still use the skills they have perfected over many years, since they were children, to create skilled works of art in the evenings and on weekends, or they become full-time artists themselves. They care passionately about preserving their village's unique art form.

In San Miguel, we are fortunate to host Galería Atotonilco, widely considered the finest collection of folk art for sale anywhere in the country. We travel all over Mexico to bring you a richly diverse collection. It may warm your heart to know that every purchase is supporting a deserving artist and helping to preserve Mexico's distinctive cultural heritage.

Galería Atotonilco, located five miles north of town, is now open Monday through Saturday from 11 to 4 with no appointment necessary. It is widely considered to be the finest collection of folk art for sale in all of Mexico. The collection also includes colonial-era tables and trunks, prints by the famous Oaxacan graphic artist Irving Herrera, contemporary ceramics by the world-famous Gustavo Pérez and more. Don't wait. Plan a day in the country soon. We are surrounded by restaurants, hot springs, and the historic Atotonilco church.

Galería Atotonilco
An Unforgettable Experience of Mexico

Gáleria Atotonilco

**************

Susan Page is the former Director of Women's Programs at UC Berkeley, where she helped to found the Contraception Clinic at the Student Health Service, and to create one of the first university-based Human Sexuality programs in the U.S. She helped establish the first safe house for battered women in Contra Costa County. A best-selling author, Susan has appeared widely on national television and radio, including the Oprah Winfrey Show. She founded and is president of the San Miguel Writers' Conference and Literary Festival and of Gáleria Atotonilco.

www.susanpage.com

Discover Lokkal:
Watch the two-minute video below.
Then, just below that, scroll down SMA's Community Wall.
Mission

Visit SMA's Social Network

Contact / Contactar