This weekend, I ventured down to San Diego, not realizing its geographic proximity to Mexico! I found myself at a Mexican “bazaar.” Growing up visiting Mexico and Guatemala often, I have always regarded Mexican artisan crafts, as touristy trinkets. But it was this trip that I began to analyze the Mexican artisan style as a unique blend of two cultures.
The native indigenous Mexican people have roots in both ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures. They had an advanced language system, which exists now as hieroglyphics painted on their still standing structures. The characters and forms exist in bright color schemes (from natural dyes, inks and paints), thick black outlines and profile aspects. Images depicting highly ornamented spirit gods or human priests feature large headdresses, gaudy jewelry and elaborate costumes.
When the Spaniards came across the ocean to colonize Mexico during the Inquisition, they brought came from a culture of high European art. Most possibly adopted by the indigenous, we see patron saints, carved almost comically out of wood, alongside intricate metal alters, mirrors and other Spanish-inspired sophistication.
The result of these two cultures is a kitschy, simply crafted, brightly colored, distinctive style that is the Mexican handicraft.
image credit: traveldk.com
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