Oscar Soteno
(Mexican, Contemporary)

"Arbol de los Nacimientos", 2007

polychromed molded clay
signed, dated and localized along bottom edge, signed and localized along top arch
h. 29-1/2", w. 21", d. 6-1/4"

Notes: Oscar Soteno was born into a Metepec, Mexico family with a long tradition of creating utilitarian pottery pieces. In the 1930s his grandmother began to produce small decorative items which were to prove exceedingly popular; eventually, these were to evolve into the large-scale, "tree of life" sculptures for which the family has become so well-known.

Utilizing the local reddish clay, which is dried, ground to a powder, and then mixed with water and plumilla (the fibers of the local bulrush plant), Oscar forms and joins all elements by hand. The sculpture is then dried and fired in stages before being carefully painted in exuberant shades of hot pink, canary yellow, royal blue, and red. He has expanded the symbolism of the trees to include references to the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, or death and marriage.

The fine, brightly-colored example offered here includes, among the numerous flowers, a musical mermaid, an elaborately patterned wedding chest, and "la Calavera Catrina" - the elegantly attired female skeleton which has become a symbol of the Día de los Muertos.