Oaxaca Sojourn
During a visit to Oaxaca, Mexico during the October 31, 1998 celebration of Dia de los Muertos we visited an elder ceramist and craftsman, the Master of his house of clay - his methods were ancient, his tools simple and decidedly unsophisticated, but the glint in his eye and his touch with clay were most amazing. Herein are a few moments with the Master... |
The Master selects his clay carefully - he works with it until he and the material become one...
He places a heavy rounded plate upside down on a flat surface between his feet, and places his clay on a second heavy plate and sets both awhirl atop the overturned plate - this is his wheel...
His hands work the material as though it is an intimate friend - fluid and swift his hands ply the clay, and it begins to take rough shape under his deft ministrations...
Gently, he kneads the clay, his fingers and palm carressing and teasing out the form and shape hidden within it as it begins to stand on its own...
The Master's fingers touch the slight curves deep within the clay, follow along its lengthening sides, and draw up its textured body...
The clay holds form, and stands against the kneading of its co-creator - breathe in, breathe out...
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