Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art [Hardcover]

Fernandez De Calderon Candida (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Presented by Fomento Cultural Banamex, which promotes master Mexican folk artists from all states in Mexico, in part through exhibitions in the United States and Europe, this volume reveals Mexico's unparalleled folk art traditions. Shown here are the works of 180 artisans, whose biographies comprise the text. Organized by media, the contents cover clay, wood, stone, textiles, metals, paper, leather, vegetable fibers, and various materials. Each artist is photographed in lovely, full-page portraits that capture his or her essence; the images delight with their colorful vitality while revealing intricate details and design elements of the works shown. Much more than a coffee-table book, this opulent work provides an evocative narrative of each artist's aesthetic, ancestral technique, and inspiration. Although for some libraries the high price may preclude purchase, this work is highly recommended for academic and special libraries with Mexican and folk art collections. Rebecca Tolley-Stokes, East Tennessee State Univ., Johnson City
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

No one can visit Mexico without noticing the vitality, pervasiveness, and diversity of its folk art. Ceramics both utilitarian and sculptural, textiles of all kinds, carved wood sculpture, inlaid and painted furniture, baskets, and ironwork are created and displayed in every state. This cultural wealth is newly celebrated in a groundbreaking exhibition of the work of 180 living artists and documented for all time in this big, beautiful, vibrantly colorful book. Eloquent photographic portraits accompany examples of the artists' exquisite art, explanations of complex techniques, and brief biographical profiles that affirm that folk art is a prized way of life, a conduit for spirituality, and a treasured legacy. Many artists learned their skills from grandparents, and many feel, as wood-carver Manuel Jimenez Ramirez of Oaxaca does, that their gifts are divine. Distinguished by lavish detail, Mexican folk art requires, as the editors write about embroiderer Esther Roja Guerrero, "sensitivity, patience, meticulousness, and the ability to see beyond the obvious." And veneration, a feeling that will infuse all who peruse these glorious creations. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 552 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810967456
• ISBN-13: 978-0810967458
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 10 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #856,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for all, May 28, 2002

By	Luis GARCIA LAURENT - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art (Hardcover)

This important coletion of items brings forth the vitality of present day Mexican art. The traditional techniques being applied to the new expression is facinating. Even the most rudimentary objects become important works of art in the hands of the artisans whose work is exhibited in this book.
I have personally seen some of these objects being manufactured. That was also memorable, the presentation in this book is a veritable tribute to the artisans that preserving their traditional manufacturing are making art with some of the most menial substances.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book of Mexican Folk Art, January 20, 2006

By	Bookworm (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art (Hardcover)

This is a lovely and well made book that features a wide variety of folk art- weaving and fiber arts, carving, painting, ceramics, tin work, etc. It provides a great introduction to different media and styles. The work is almost all very traditional. The book is divided by media, then each page features a large photo of the artist in their studio/home and a description of the work. The opposite page has photos of the artwork by that particular artist. Quite a few photos are full page, and this is a large book! This book is attractive enough to be a coffee table book, but informative and accessable enough to be of good use in a classroom.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book For The Folk Art Collector, May 23, 2002

By	Jay P. Francis (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art (Hardcover)

We were having a look through the book, checking out whom we had in our collection, whom we had met on various trips to Mexico.
The book brought back a lot of good memories, and wetted our appetite for more exploring and meeting craftspeople in Mexico.

It is an enjoyable read, with great photographs and information on the craftspeople.

For anyone who collects Mexican folk art, this one is a must have, in my opinion.