Josefina Aguilar

Josefina Aguilar
The artisan in her workshop
Born1945 (age 78–79)
Oaxaca, Mexico
Known forclay muñecas (dolls)
StyleFolk art

Josefina Aguilar (born 1945) is a Mexican folk artist from Ocotlán de Morelos, Oaxaca.[1] A member of the Aguilar family, she is best known for her small clay figurines called muñecas (dolls), an artform she learned from her mother.[2][3] Aguilar uses red clay to create depictions of everyday village activities, religious and folkloric scenes, famous figures,[4] and special Day of the Dead statues.[5] Collectors of her work include Nelson Rockefeller, who discovered her work on a trip to Oaxaca in 1975,[6] as well as repeat visitors to Oaxaca who come to see her latest work.[5][7] Aguilar says each figurine she makes is unique.[8] She became blind in 2014 and now uses touch to create her art.[9] One of her major collectors quoted her as saying "It's not the eyes. It's the hand and the brain."[10]

  1. ^ Paige Phelps (2008-02-29). "Beautiful Excess of Latin Folk Art Enlivens Southlake Home". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  2. ^ "Josefina Aguilar Alcántara (daughter of Isaura and Jesús)". FOFA. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Wasserspring, L., & Ragan, V. (2000). Oaxacan Ceramics: Traditional Folk Art by Oaxacan Women. Chronicle Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Janet Kutner (2006-09-24). "Santa Fe Gallery Owner Combs Oaxaca Scene". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  5. ^ a b Marla Jo Fisher (2005-12-04). "Clay Nation". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  6. ^ Dan Goddard (2006-02-26). "From the Collection". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  7. ^ Ann Jarmusch (2002-11-24). "Heirloom Hacienda". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Lucas, Marcia (2016-04-27). "Josefina Aguilar: Artist Update". El Interior. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  10. ^ Brown, Patricia (2017-02-27). "Mexican Villages Color Their World". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.