The ceramics in this exhibition are from Patamban, a village in Michoacán in midwest Mexico, with circa 4000 inhabitants. Long before contact with the Spanish, the residents of Patamban made ceramics. Up to 80% of all families is involved in the production of ceramics.
Ceramics, a living tradition
Tarasco ceramists make ceramics mostly as they have always done. But today they use an electric grinder to break up the dry clay. The different family members have each their own task. The women do most of the work, while the men collect earth, stack and burn.
Household objects
The Tarasco make three types of ceramics for the household:
- Losa verde – green ceramics that are the most prestigious
- Losa colorada – brown ceramics for daily use
- Cantaros – a coarser, unglazed type that represents an older tradition
Source of income
Ceramics are an important source of income. The Tarasco sell the ceramics buyers or at markets in the district.
Ceramics and religion
Through the religious celebrations, some Tarasco people tie ceramics to a religious dimension of being. For a long time all of the craftspeople in the village have interested themselves in making ceramics to be sold at the markets during the celebration. Often the entire family goes out to sell and at the same time take part in the religious celebration.
They make a special type of ceramics for the celebrations that are held for the most important saints in the village. During the whole year some of the village residents take responsibility for one of the saint statues: care for it, decorate it with flowers and lights as well as arrange saint-parties. After such events one proudly displays the largest trays in the kitchen to remember the occasion.
