Rustic or Sophisticated?

Rustic

Sophisticated

Here’s a little example of both ends of the continuum of folk art. The top photo of those great bouncing neck, paper mache calacas with tufts of hair, gold teeth and quirky little hats is quintessential Mexican folk art and it’s super primitive looking. Contrast them to the woman riding a bike. She’s made out of potato paste mixture and is so amazingly detailed. Think of the time that the Quispe family put into that piece, creating the idea, handmolding it first out of the paste, then drying, then painting, then varnishing. Full disclosure: she’s not from Mexico, but Peru. Both pieces were created for the most important holiday in Mexico (or Peru) Day of the Dead and could be used to decorate either the ofrenda (altar/offering) or one’s house to celebrate the return of the dead for two days in early November. Both pieces are available on our website, click on the pictures and you’ll be carried right there.

Which do you prefer, rustic or sophisticated?

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