Cerámica de la Tierra: The Pre-Columbian Tradition

399 North Garey Ave. Pomona, CA 91766 • Directions
(909) 865-3146 • frontdesk@amoca.org
Wednesday - Saturday 12pm to 5pm
2nd Saturdays 12 noon to 9pm
for Downtown Pomona's Artwalk

Cerámica de la Tierra:
The Pre-Columbian Tradition with contemporary works by Luis Bermudez and Francisco "Pancho" Jiménez
February 28 - May 9, 2009

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Cerámica de la Tierra, presented by the American Museum of Ceramic Art, examines Mesoamerican and South American ceramics coupled with a glimpse of contemporary ceramic expressions rooted in pre-Columbian traditions. This exhibition, supported by the James Irvine Foundation, will unveil a large, rarely-seen, private collection of pre-Columbian works, replete with examples of ceramic tomb sculptures, wind instruments, and vessels. Ranging from 1200 BC to 1600 AD, these antiquities represent the Maya culture; West Mexico - Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit, Vera Cruz; Teotihuacán; and northern Peru. To place these cultures in their anthropological and historical context, key facts and information accompany the displayed items.

Connected only by trade routes, various ancient societies existed in semi-isolation within Central and South America for approximately 4,000 years. Much of what is known of these ancient societies is based on theory and speculation. However, this exhibition will draw attention to the common denominators and shared features that played across the region, including the ball game, human sacrifice, rituals, astrological views, and religious and social systems. Of particular interest is the transformative nature or duality of the works, exemplified by mirrored or reflective images, and figures that morph from one form to another. Attention will also be given to the function of vessels, to the subject matter of figurative sculptures, to the clay construction and firing techniques, and to the aesthetic qualities of the works.

As a way to measure Mesoamerican influences in contemporary art, works created by two California Mexican American artists, Luis Bermudez and Francisco “Pancho” Jiménez, both working in the ceramic medium, are juxtaposed against the pre-Columbian work from Mexico and Peru. Given AMOCA's broad interest in ceramics from all over the world and from all time periods, programs such as “Cerámica de la Tierra” are fundamental to our museum's mandate to encourage comparison, evaluation, and appreciation of the diversity of human creativity.

Hollow Dwarf Figure, 300 B.C. - 300 A.D. Shaft Tomb Culture West Mexico: Colima Private Collection	Vessel (Tlaloc Image) 150-750 AD (Exhibit Image) Teotihuacán Culture IV-V Mexico: Valley of Teotihuacán Private Collection	Solid Female Figure, 300 BC-300 AD (Exhibit Image) Shaft Tomb Culture West Mexico, Nayarit Private Collection
Hollow Warrior Figure, 300 B.C. - 300 A.D. Shaft Tomb Culture West Mexico: Jalisco Private Collection	Cinco Soles, 2009 (Exhibit Image) Francisco Pancho Jiménez Slab-built stoneware with glaze Courtesy of the artist	Hollow Urn Figure, 300 B.C. - 300 A.D. Zapotec Culture: Monte Alban III Mexico: Oaxaca Private Collection
El Caracol, C-5, 2005 Luis Bermudez Castable Refractory with Barium Texture Glaze and Glazed Earthenware Courtesy of the artist	Entry, 1997 (Exhibit Image) Francisco "Pancho" Jiménez Extruded Terra Cotta Courtesy of the artist	El Caracol, C-7, 2006 (detail) Luis Bermudez Castable Refractory with artificial salt glaze and glazed earthenware Courtesy of the artist