Serapio Medrano, Still Crazy (about clay) After All These Years! For the Hall Family, this story began in 1969 when
they traveled to a village in the countryside, far from
The journey is much different now. The towns of On this spring day we find the family busy firing in
the successful, but primitive horno (even by village standards). Space is at
such a premium that every corner is stacked with buckets, spare bicycle parts
and miscellaneous odds and ends. It has only been in the last year that the
pigs, ducks and turkeys got "a room of their own"!
As always, we first catch up on family news, discuss
the ups and downs of business, and reflect on the changing face of
At 58 years old, Serapio is wiry, energetic, and
still completely enthusiastic about his work. He proudly shows us his latest
pieces, which to our delight, are taking on a quality that is
indistinguishable from his father's. The colors and images are definitely
nostalgic, and we marvel at the especially detailed "Náhuatl"
knowing very well that it will by-pass our store and come straight home with
us! In the spring, Candelario's wife can rest. Her
specialty is making the naïve nativity sets, crudely painted yet completely
wonderful using clay and wire, the same as Serapio. School is out and grand children are underfoot. The
conversation naturally turns to the future of the Medrano tradition and which
"nieto" will step forward to carry on. None of the children have
any interest, and so the folk art future of this family must fall to the next
generation. Two of the grandchildren are already making tiny clay suns which
they sell for pocket money. Serapio explains that THIS is the summer that he
will begin teaching them how to form and fire the larger pieces. Ah. Summer
school, Serapio-style.
Our unexpected treasures on this day are two masks,
festooned with ribbons, which were used in the feast day dances—a complete
surprise, and gratefully accepted for our collection.
Just as Rick's father proudly came away from this
very house with Candelario Medrano clay masks 35
years ago, we leave with the masks of Serapio
Medrano today. So much has changed, but then, perhaps not. By Debra Hall August 17, 2004 |