Julian Martinez

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Julian Martinez
Birth name Pocano
Born 1879 (1879)
San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico
Died 1943 (1944)
San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico
Nationality San Ildefonso Pueblo
Field Ceramics, Painting
Training community
Movement San Ildefonso blackware
Patrons School for Advanced Research
Elected Governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo

Julian Martinez, also known as Pocano (1879-1943), was a San Ildefonso Pueblo potter[1] and the patriarch of the most important family of Native American artisans in the United States.

Background

Martinez was born in 1897 in San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico. His name, Pocano, means "Coming of the Spirits" in Tewa. He worked as a farmer, general laborer, and janitor, in addition to being an artist. He was elected governor of San Ildefonso.[2]

Martinez married Maria Martinez, and their son Popovi Da, became a famous artist.[3]

Artwork

Born on the San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico, Martinez was instrumental in reviving the San Ildefonso and Santa Clara blackware pottery traditions.[4] Julian researched traditional designs and reproduced them on the pottery, later modifying traditional designs to create his own. His wife Maria Martinez is considered the preeminent creator of San Ildefonso blackware pottery and her name is synonymous with excellence in Indian pottery making. His son Popovi Da continued the tradition of innovation in pottery making, and is considered by many as the most accomplished Native American potter and painter of the 20th century.

Martinez is credited for inventing a revolutionary technique that would allow for areas of the pottery to have a matte finish and other areas to be a glossy jet black.[5]

Martinez was also an easel painter.[1] He painted Pueblo rituals and abstract designs with colored pencil and watercolor, and featured Western figurative types against blank backgrounds.[6] He painted murals at the former Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.[2]

Public collections

Martinez' artwork can be found in the following public collections.

Death

Martinez died on March 6, 1943 in San Ildefonso.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Julian Martinez." Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lester 344
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lester 343
  4. "Maria & Julian Martinez Pottery". Masterpiece Technologies. Retrieved 11/13/07.
  5. Sublette, Mark J. "Maria Martinez and San Ildefonso Pottery." Medicine Man Gallery. Retrieved 11/13/07.
  6. Julian Martinez. Retrieved 11/7/07.

References

  • Lester, Patrick D. The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters. Tulsa, OK: SIR Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-8061-9936-9.

External links

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