In March 2025, a cultural and artistic bridge was consolidated between the deep heritage of Oaxaca and the vibrant ceramic community of Portland, Oregon. As part of this enriching dialogue, four Oaxacan creators traveled to the Pacific Northwest to share their vision, participating in an exchange of knowledge that included their outstanding presence at the Oregon Potters Association (OPA) Showcase.
WHERE: Mexican Consulate in Portland, 1305 SW 12th Avenue
The pieces that make up this exhibition are the direct result of brotherhood and sisterhood and community work around the fire. To bring these works to life, the artists carried out two demanding high-temperature firings in collaboration with local potters: a traditional wood firing in Richard Brand's "Yutki" Anagama kiln, and an atmospheric soda firing at East Creek. Both processes, which fuse the earth with the embrace of ash and vapors, require a deep understanding of the elements and exceptional teamwork.
We will also be showing a painting completed by Ivonne Kennedy. She is the founder and driving force behind Guenda, a group of artists based in Oaxaca. Learn more about Ivonne Kennedy.
The Artists and Their Vision:
Inés Lara: A creator originally from Tlaxiaco who focuses her work on figurative ceramic sculpture. Her works fuse tradition with modernity, seeking to connect with the viewer on an emotional level through a sensory journey.
Rufina Ruiz: A master potter from Santa María Atzompa with 45 years of experience. Her spirit and technical mastery are captured in each piece, using methods endemic to her community in dialogue with contemporary art.
Felipe Martí: A multifaceted artist whose ceramic sculpture is metaphorical, mysterious, and enigmatic. Through figurative fantasies, he narrates his experiences and interests, translating serendipitous ideas into tangible and universal realities.
Honorio Cruz: A creator who contributes sculptures of imposing format to the collective, molding guardians, universes, and earth beings that are revealed and transformed under the extreme temperatures of the Anagama kiln.
The Work: Constituted by individual pieces and valuable collaborations (such as Portal del espíritu and Visiones), the exhibition reflects the use of traditional manual techniques, such as coil building (the churro technique), subjected to extreme atmospheric conditions. Sculptures like El guardián de la paciencia, Un mundo raro, and Rostro, textura orgánica are clay testimonies that document this journey.
"Voices of the Earth" celebrates that art, like fire, knows no borders; it is a transformative force that unifies perspectives, communities, and cultures.