The many faces of Mata Ortiz

the long version

Chronicles the extraordinary renaissance of ceramic art in the tiny village of Mata Ortiz in northern Mexico, a phenomenon sparked by the village woodcutter Juan Quezada, who gradually recreated the technology of ancient pre-Columbian masterpieces, until modern masterpieces also emerged from his own hands. This reawakening of the ancient art is taking many forms in the hands of some three hundred villagers. An essay by noted Arizona author Susan Lowell on the region, the town, Juan Quezada, and many other village artists, is followed by a biographical survey of a cross-section of 100 potters along with color photographs of their work and portraits of the potters.