Art objects by the famed San Ildefonso Pueblo, N. M., potter, Maria Martinez, her son, Popovi Da, and her grandson, Tony Da, have been assembled for showing in the Department of the Interior's Art Galleries in Washington, D. C., May 16-June 30, Mrs. Stewart L. Udall, president of the Center for Arts of Indian America, announced today. The artists will be present in the Galleries at various times during the first week.
Works in the showing include 10 pots by Maria, 12 by Popovi Da and 13 paintings by Tony Da. In addition there will be a number of photographs and photomurals of the Pueblo and the family at work by a Santa Fe photographer, Laura Gilpin. The photos include recent portraits of the artists and some taken by Miss Gilpin at various times in the past.
The exhibit was assembled by the staff of the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs school for young Indian artists, dancers, writers, and craftsmen. The main pieces are from the private collection of the Village of San Ildefonso and the Santa Fe Indian Arts Fund. The exhibit includes some of the finest works the artists have produced.
A number of older pieces of San Ildefonso pottery and textiles -- some made even before Maria Martinez was born more than 80 years ago -- will be included in the show to demonstrate the development of her art and the origins of some of her designs.
The continuous artistic production through three generations began many years ago when Maria and her husband, Julian, worked to recapture traditional Pueblo pottery designs and production techniques. She would shape the clay into graceful bowls, stately water jars and flat plaques. He would lay on vegetable-based glazes in patterns inspired by designs from prehistoric pottery or symbols unique to the Pueblo. After Julian's death, the family continued the tradition, believed to be, unique in America.
The galleries, on the seventh floor of the Interior Building, will be open Mondays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
