From ancient shards scattered across the desert floor to masterful contemporary vessels, In Their Hands: The Evolution of Mata Ortiz Pottery traces the remarkable development of Mata Ortiz pottery—a living tradition born from both necessity and artistry. This exhibition explores how a small village in northern Mexico transformed archaeological fragments into a thriving ceramic movement that bridges ancient Mogollon techniques with contemporary forms and designs.
The pottery you see here represents more than artistic achievement; it embodies cultural resilience, economic survival, and the power of community knowledge. Each piece tells the story of Mata Ortiz, where potters have reimagined thousand-year-old vessels while developing their distinctive visual language. These works stand at the crossroads of heritage and creativity, demonstrating how tradition evolves when filtered through new hands.
In Their Hands will be on view in the Igal & Diane Silber Vault Gallery at AMOCA from July 19–November 23, 2025.
