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Museum of International Folk Art
About Us : Spanish Heritage Wing


The Hispano/Latino Collection
Bulto of Our Lady of GuadalupeOne of the great strengths of the collection is the large number of everyday items - the material culture of colonial New Mexico. Cultural change, adaptation to the physical environment, technological innovation, and cultural continuity can be studied in light of the implements made or used by New Mexicans.

Bultos
are three-dimensional carved wooden figures. Made primarily of cottonwood and painted with organic pigments, were also used in much the same contexts as the retablos. Also exclusively religious in subject matter, the bultos range from small, easily transportable figures for use in homes to life-size figures and death carts used for Holy Week and feast day processions and as imagery in churches.

Retablos are paintings on wood panels, usually painted with organic pigments on a pine panel, range from small, pocket-sized plaques of individual saints to full-size altar screens with multiple images intended for use in community churches. Always religious subjects, these paintings were used in both homes and churches throughout the Spanish villages of New Mexico. These paintings, together with the bultos (sculptures), comprise the majority of the collection.

Straw and corn husks were cut into geometric and floral forms and used to decorate wooden objects, such as crosses and boxes. Known as paja encrustada, this technique which simulated wood inlay, was probably introduced to New Mexico by the Franciscans. More about the Spanish Colonial collection»


Currently in Hispanic Heritage Wing:

Folk Art of the Andes
April 17, 2011 -September 9, 2012
A major exhibition - Folk Art of the Andes - features over 850 works of art from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This diverse group of Andean folk arts includes weaving, embroidery, woodcarving, ceramics, painting, and metalwork, reflecting the interweaving of indigenous craft traditions with European art forms and techniques. (Photo, above: Woman's Sidesaddle Stirrups, Argentina, early 19th century, Silver, 5" x 8.75". Photo by Blair Clark) The exhibition provides a window into the rich spirit and culture shared by the peoples of this highland region of South America through works ranging from costumes, jewelry, utilitarian items, and toys to those used in religious practices and festivals. The exhibit will be accompanied by a richly illustrated 300 page catalog. In addition, public programming related to the Andes will take place throughout the year. The exhibition closes in the Hispanic Heritage Wing September 9. 2012.



PAST EXHIBITIONS


A Century of Masters:
The NEA National Heritage Fellows of New Mexico

September 27, 2009- January 30, 2011
jose ramon lopez
Presented as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Museum of New Mexico
Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts» honors folk artists, storytellers, performers, and musicians throughout the United States for their contributions to traditional art forms. The National Heritage Fellows demonstrate artistic excellence and a commitment to their art forms through their processes, techniques, and transmission of the knowledge to others that strengthens and enriches their communities. New Mexico residents are well-represented in this distinguished group of talented artists, especially given the size of the state's population. The Museum of International Folk Art holds examples of the works of all the Fellows from New Mexico in its collections, from weavings, to pottery, tinwork, straw appliqué, retablos, and woodcarving. . The exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Museum of New Mexico.This exhibition closes January 31, 2011. The National Heritage Fellowship Artists from New Mexico are:

Charles M. Carrillo»
(artist, santero) 2006
Helen Cordero» (Cochiti potter, deceased) 1986
Frances Varos Graves»
(colcha embroiderer, deceased) 1994
George López»
(artist, woodcarver, deceased) 1982
Ramón José López»(artist, santero) 1997
Esther Martinez» (San Juan storyteller, deceased) 2006
Roberto & Lorenzo Martinez» (musicians) 2003
Eliseo & Paula Rodriguez» (artists, straw appliqué) 2004
Emilio & Senaida Romero» (artists, tinwork, deceased) 1987
Margaret Tafoya» (Santa Clara potter, deceased) 1984
Irvin Trujillo» (Rio Grande weaver) 2007
Cleofes Vigil»
(storyteller, singer, deceased) 1984


Upcoming Hispanic Heritage Wing Exhibitions:

New World Cuisine: The Histories of Chocolate Mate and More
(working title)
Opening in the Hispanic Heritage Wing December 9, 2012, closing April 13, 2014


The Red That Colored the World
(working title)
In the Hispanic Heritage Wing June 9, 2014, to March 8, 2015

Flamenco (working title)
Opening June 7, 2015, closing date to be determined.