Angela Baca, Gourd Jar

Written by USU Student Karli Lyons

June 2, 2017

Gourd Jar, created by Angela Baca in 1984, is earthenware that has been “blackened” as a result of the firing process. This process was popularized in the early 20th century by well known pueblo potters Maria and Julian Martinez. [1]

There is not much known about this specific piece or artist Angela Baca. What is known is that Baca was the daughter of well-known potter Severa Tafoya of the Santa Clara Pueblo Tribe.[2] Severa and Baca were known for their traditionally shaped pottery, which is characterized as being organic and earth-like. Baca created melon-shaped pottery style, such as Gourd Jar, throughout her career.2 Baca also made pieces in the polychrome pottery tradition, which is a surface decoration characterized by three or more colors painted onto the piece.

Sources:
1 Sublette, Mark, Dr. “Maria and Julian Martinez the Art of Polychrome Pottery –Western art collector Article.” Accessed March 24, 2016.
2 “Tafoya, Severa (1890-1973) Archives. “King Galleries.” Accessed March 24, 2016.

This month's From the Vault is part of an object-based research assignment from Professor Sandra Charlson's course ARTH 3340 Native North American Art.