Awaiting the Next Solstice

This image consists of a still life arrangement of objects on our backyard fountain. The centerpiece is a male effigy pot created by Manuel Olivas. He is a leader in the revival of the ancient pottery tradition in the small community of Casas Grande in Northern Mexico. Paquime, the large, pre-Columbian ruins next to the town, is famous for the beautiful ceramics that inspired this modern revival. Almost the entire community is involved in the creation of the pottery based on this historic tradition, referred to as Mata Ortiz.

In my painting, all the items are from Mexico and in differing ways connect to the importance of the Solstice in the lives of peoples from antiquity and today.