The long-standing Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) was held at the Desert Botanical Garden this past November. The main featured artist of the day was renowned Mexican clay artist Rufina Ruiz Lopez. She, along with her artisan collective, Ruiz Lopez, was responsible for crafting calavera (skull art) for the celebration Mega Altar. In smaller forms, these altars are also known as ofrendas.
We recently interviewed Ruiz Lopez; this is her story:
You may know me as Rufina Ruiz Lopez. I am a clay artist and craftswoman from Atzompa, Oaxaca. But it would help if you remembered me for being involved in the long-standing tradition of making ceramics from mud. I was one the youngest of 11 siblings and learned the art from my mother.
Our town is devoted to clay and pottery. At first, I pursued a career as an accountant. However, the earth and generations of family tradition called me back. It’s as it should be because as a child, I wanted to be an artist. It’s a dream I can now call my life. I trained with masters Adan Paredes and Francisco Toledo, two of the most renowned artists from Oaxaca. After that training, I could incorporate artistic processes and new techniques to help keep my mother’s clay-making tradition alive.
2.- Who has Influenced your life the most?
My mother. I am the fifth generation of siblings, who learned from my mother to honor, love and respect Earth. With her teachings she has transcended and still is part of our lives.
3.- What are your proudest achievements?
The greatest achievement is life itself and being part of the universe.
4.- Who Inspires you?
My mother, Juana Natalia López. She is the woman who gave me life, and who comforted me during my worries, sad moments, and happy moments. I am who I am thanks to her teachings and her love towards others, I remember how she educated us through the work with clay, how she used to take us to the field and inspired us to connect with nature, and her strength to keep moving forward regardless of life’s problems. She is my holy mother, the most sublime being that God could have given me.
5.- What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in what you do?
Don’t forget where you are from, respect what you love, respect everything, and share what you have.
6.- What makes an inspiring woman?
Courage, with which they face difficulties. Respect they have to their own knowledge. Patience. Grit. Peace. Humility to face life and share what you have or don’t have. Gratefulness to thank life for what it has given you and what it has not.
7. Tell us five things no one knows about you?
I’m very vulnerable, I usually say that I have a heart of steel but that’s not true.
I can’t dance.
My private life is always very much mine. I don’t like to share my intimacies.
