“Native to Neo” surveys Oaxacan woodcarving, pottery, weaving, embroidery, tinwork, jewelry, candles, baskets, toys, miniatures, masks and other ceremonial objects with displays at three Wheaton Village sites: the Down Jersey Folklife Center, the Gallery of Fine Craft and the Museum of American Glass.

POTTERY

The staggering variety of Oaxacan pottery is presented in all major techniques - unpainted and red painted, polished, green glazed, multi-colored glazed, and black ceramics. The extraordinary wealth of myths, legends, religious motifs, ritual practices and feasts intertwined with scenes of the everyday life is seen in different shapes, colors, figures and compositions.

WOODCARVING

Although wooden ceremonial masks and toys have been carved in the region for centuries, the diversity of today’s Oaxacan woodcarvings is a new phenomenon. Inspired by the foreign market, carvers are creating many new painted figures that nevertheless reflect traditional Oaxacan culture’s basic beliefs and themes, including: wooden versions of many figures we already know from the ceramic works: mermaids, Virgins, saints, angels and biblical scenes, dancing figures, musicians and fiesta scenes, skeletons and other Day of the Dead creatures. The Oaxacan carvers, though, are famous by the great variety of painted animals and alebrijes – or monsters. At the center of our woodcarvings section is Christopher Stowens’ amazing collection of Oaxacan works including his unique collection of carved music stands – on display for the first time.

WEAVING/EMBROIDERY

Oaxacan weavings reveal yet another aspect of the distinctive Oaxacan tradition – a visual feast of color, techniques and patterns. The wizardry of the weavers of Teotitlan del Valle is evident in the wide range of patterns echoing the designs of centuries and celebrating the artistry of all times. We find in their works designs varying from woven interpretations of the caracol or “snail” to the stepped frets and lacy interlocking channels found on the ancient ruins of Mitla; Navajo geometrics from prehistoric pictorial patterns to the Zapotec diamond (sun) and Zapotec star; as well as beautiful stylizations of the surrounding mountains and contemporary original patterns. Also on display are back-strap loom belts and placemats, woven cloths and tablecloths. Beautiful pieces of embroidered blouses, huipils, wedding dresses and dance costumes demonstrate the distinctive Oaxacan style of embroideries.

OTHER FOLK ART FORMS

The tinwork includes examples of mirror frames, trees of life, candleholders and other decorative pieces. Fine jewelry made in Oaxaca is also influenced by different historical patterns and designs. Mixtec, Zapotec and Spanish designs find beautiful contemporary expression in silver, gold, and gold plate pieces. There are very good examples of wooden and papier-mâché masks, as well as Day of the Dead and other ceremonial objects. We also have candles made for ritual purposes, baskets made out of different materials and different shapes for various utilitarian needs, paper flowers, miniatures, and toys.

ADDITIONAL EXHIBITION RESOURCES

A photo display and written texts tell the stories of Oaxacan families who have moved to southern New Jersey. Additional texts and maps provide additional information about the Oaxacan region, history and culture. Slide shows, video presentations and handouts will be available for school groups and the general public. Examples of almost all of the Oaxacan folk arts are for sale at The Gallery of Fine Craft and General Store.

Artists and Artists’ Families Represented in the Exhibition:

Pottery: Aguilar Alcantara, the Blanco, the Vasquez Cruz, the Regino Porras, the De Nieto Castillo, and the Pedro Martinez families.

Woodcarving: Isidoro Cruz Hernandez, the Fuentes family, Martin and Margarito Melchor, Jacobo Angeles Ojeda, the Maria Jimenez Ojeda family, the Santiago family, Claudio and Teresa Ojeda, Luis Pablo, Jesus Sosa Calvo, Avelino Munez, and Innocente Melchor.

Weaving/Embroidery: Vasquez, the Perez, the Cruz families, Arnulfo Mendoza, and the Navarro Gomez, the Chavez and the Orozco families; Virginia Sanchez de Cornelio family, the Sumano family.