Maria Montoya Martinez
1887-1980
San Idlefonso pueblo potter
Click here to watch a video of Maria collecting the raw clay materials, blending them with water, and building and decorating her pottery.
Handbuilt Pottery is artwork made with clay using only the artists' hands.
Handbuilt Pottery is artwork made with clay using only the artists' hands.
Coil Construction is the method used by Martinez to build her pots- using long snake-like coils, she builds the walls of her pots up gradually.
Oxidation Reduction is the firing method used by Martinez and many pueblo potters to achieve the black finish on her pots. When she fires them, they are in an enclosed container and when the fire heats up, the oxygen burns away and carbon is soaked into the surface of the pots. Carbon leaves a black residue.