A Contemporary Art Movement
With Roots In A Pre-Hispanic Culture Tradition

The Mata Ortiz one of a kind signed ollas and sculptures, has burst onto the cultural scene with a force that can only be attributed to its great beauty.

This unique art form originated in the early 1970’s, was born out of the explicit desire of one man: Juan Quezada, to revive the Paquime culture ceramics, a pre-Hispanic tradition that had lain dormant for centuries. Today this art movement it is recognized as one of the finest and most innovative artistic expressions with its own mystic spirit and power.

The magical quality we see and feel in the hand coiled (no use of potter wheel) thin-walled pots or ollas abstract shape, works with the intricate finely drawn designs (hand painted with all natural mineral colors) to enhance the pieces visual impact.

The exponential growth of this art form, from Juan Quezada’s earliest efforts to the bold sophistication and constant innovation of today pottery artists is called by some “The Miracle of Mata Ortiz” The seductive geometry of the ceramics from Mata Ortiz –a small village in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico- represents one of the most beautiful and the most intriguing creative phenomena in Mexican contemporary folk art.