Fire and Clay

The Art of Oaxacan Pottery

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With texts by Eric Mindling, foreword by Gustavo Perez, edited and designed by Diego Mier y Terán, published by Innovando la Tradicion and BOM DIA BOA TARDE BOA NOITE 200 x 240 mm, 232 pages, color illustrations, softcover, ISBN 978-3-943514-36-0 (English) ISBN 978-3-943514-37-7 (French) ISBN 978-3-943514-38-4 (Spanish)

Eric Mindling, a self-defined potterologist and member of Innovando la Tradicion, has explored Oaxaca and its 70+ pottery villages for more than twenty years. This experience has become Fire and Clay. The Art of Oaxacan Pottery, a panoramic vision of the past, present and future of Oaxacan pottery.

This book is an homage to the wisdom of potters and a journey into the depths of the ancient trade of pottery. Through beautiful imagery and delightful prose, the book explaines the wisdom of artisanal design and pottery’s important economical, social and identity-based roles.

The book approaches pottery from a design perspective, touching on themes such as diversity in form, social contexts, funcionality, techniques and the challenges presented by modern times, providing us with the tools to understand pottery and potters in all their complexity.

With a prologue by master ceramic artist, Gustavo Pérez, and photos by Paris Barrera. For explorers, there is a detailed guide to visit the 70 pottery villages presented in the book, with maps and directions.

This project was made possible by grant and support from FONCA through the program Fomento a Proyectos y Coinversiones Culturales, and Los Amigos del Arte Popular.