Thousand Leaves Sphere, Black Clay

Since pre-Columbian times, clay has been considered a highly precious material by Mexicans who use it for the elaboration of utilitarian, decorative, or ritual use pieces, a raw material worked with much mastery and technique diversity, as well as finishes.

In the past, Zapotecos and Mixtecos had their settlements in the middle of Oaxaca’s valleys, even back then, they worked with Black Clay, but it was until the 50s that the technique came back into the spotlight, all through the work of Doña Rosa Real de Nieto, an artisan from San Bartolo Coyotepec, who elaborated beautiful artistic pieces that have now given fame and recognition to Oaxaca on a worldwide scale, and that for many years promoted and impulsed this technique.

The clay is extracted from a place near to the town, and contrary to what most people believe, it isn’t initially black. This characteristic tone is obtained through a specific technique applied during the clay’s firing, which is done in a two mouthed furnace (a firewood furnace dug underground), during some point in the process, both “mouths” are closed, which triggers a physical reaction that reduces atmospheres, which is contrary to the regular oxidation of firing the piece. This firing process dates as long back as Prehispanic times. It is believed that, if clay is collected by women, the mines could stop naturally producing the material, therefor this is an activity traditionally exclusive to men.

Producing the pieces starts with the clay’s collection, which is sifted and is then “laid to rest”, before it is kneaded and molded. Once the artisan has applied his magic to sculpting and molding the piece, it is left to dry under the sunlight for around four days. In the case the piece requires some form of fretwork, it is done on the fourth day for the piece not to be too fresh or too dry, which could make the process difficult.

As time has passed, pieces are scratched in order to close the pores in the clay, and they are left to dry once again for them to be rubbed with quartz stones, which give the piece a very particular shimmer. Pieces are then taken out to be dried again, either under direct sunlight or under a shed for indirect light, and once dried, the quartz rubbing takes place again, all before letting the piece dry one last time for another four days before firing it. Once fired, pieces are washed, dried and ready to be sold. Among the pieces produced, one can find skulls, cajetes, jugs, pots, Mezcal pots, animal figures, and diverse ornament figures, as well as the famous “Carlomagno” pieces, all staying close to traditional techniques.

Omar Fabian Canseco

He was born in the city of Oaxaca, in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a pottery town with an important tradition in the prehispanic era. His grandparents were potters and his parents are potters. So it’s safe to say that Omar has been around Black Clay since he was a young boy. At first Omar shied away from the family business and went on to receive a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design. After a period of time working in his field Omar decided to return to the family trade making his own creations with Black Clay. He experimented with different techniques until one of his experiments (a piece made out of strips of clay) became his calling card and the beginning of many great things to come. 

The Black Clay market is very competitive in San Bartolo Coyotepec, due to the fact that nearly 70% of the inhabitants of the village are dedicated to this trade. Omar needed to distinguish himself from the rest and it wasn’t until one of his “Calada” creations landed him in 2nd. place in a Statewide competition. This inspired him to continue forward innovating and honing his techniques along the way.

During this time his Graphic Designer career merged with his artisan side, allowing him to create incredible works of art. His works have won many awards and he is sought after by Hotels and Restaurants to create murals, counters and other commercial applications made of Black Clay.

Some of his awards and honorable mentions:

1st. place in May 2009, freestyle category.

2nd. place in the “VIII Benito Juarez State Award 2009”.

1st. place in the 2nd. Black Clay Contest, April 2010.

Honorary mention in the National Award in Tlaquepaque Jalisco 2010.

1st. place in the Black Clay Contest, April 2011.

1st. place “XI State Award Benito Juarez 2012”.

1st place “XI State Award Benito Juarez 2013”.

Currently, his work is being displayed in important galleries of Mexico, Valle de Bravo, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, United States, Spain, Germany and India.