Alfredo Rodriquez--

One of the Young Potters

This was written when Alfredo Rodriguez was 15.  He is now about 23.

    Alfredo, is an example of the continuing phenomenon of 2nd and 3rd generation potters in Mata Ortíz. “Freddy” lives with his grandparents next to the primary school in a neat house with a fenced-in yard in front. In back, there is a fairly large corral, with chickens and turkeys, as well as assorted pieces of farm machinery for the family's labor. His grandmother and aunts, Sara and Blanca, make pottery.  About six months ago (Note: this was written in May 96), the boy began painting designs on the mostly red earthenware. At the time he also began helping with firings.

    Freddy has an incredible imagination,” says Steve Rose, an American trader who now lives in MO. “He creates fantastic animal designs.” One such piece, an orangeware jar, is decorated with three prancing jaguars: “The papa, the mama and baby,” Freddy’s cousin Angel, 11, told me. Angel sometimes assists Freddy with sanding and polishing. 

    Recently, although I haven’t seen them, Freddy also painted two pornographic pieces, one for Steve, another as a gift for a teacher and a third, which broke during firing, for me. I suggested to him that the buyers might not be pleased receiving pornographic artwork from a young boy. Better he invest his efforts elsewhere. Thankfully, he took my advice.

    Sunday, May 26, I saw him firing a piece he had painted the day before.  All went well until the very end, when he and his brother were both trying to take it out. It fell off the gancha and the lip chipped. He was obviously very disappointed. Upon closer inspection, I pointed out to him that his three-part design looked symmetrical at a distance, yet closer up the elements were not necessarily equal. He agreed and decided the broken piece wasn't such a loss.

    Alfredo also paints the more traditional Casas Grandes designs, but in my opinion his future lies in striking out on his own and letting his love of animals guide his hand.

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