Nitza Walesca
Apr 8th - May 29th, 2022
Mi Herencia, Mis Raices, My Heritage, My Roots
The artist, Nitza Walesca, creates innovative vessels based on traditional forms and adorns them with Taino symbols. Her indigenous Puerto Rican, Taino heritage serves as a strong inspiration. Nitza was introduced to ceramic art by her high school art teacher, and then continued her education through The Clay Studio. She is now a Claymobile Teaching Artist and Community Engagement Assistant at The Clay Studio, as well as a resident of our new neighborhood, South Kensington.
Read more about Nitza's inspirations below.
Thursday, May 12 | 6:30 PM
Join us in Nitza Walesca's exhibition to hear her talk about her process and the meaning behind each of her pieces.
Medium & Materials:
6 individual pieces thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay black low fire glaze from the clay studio
Measurements:
18 inches tall x 37.5 inches round
Date:
2021
Description:
This vessel is created to represent Africa and the slave brought over to Puerto Rico. Loiza, Puerto Rico has the largest concentration of people traced back to Africa living on the island. My family is from Loiza, Puerto Rico and our last name is BROWN. Only one family in Puerto Rico with our last name.
Medium & Materials:
6 individual pieces thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay - fired to cone 03 Black low fire glaze from the Clay studio
Measurements:
18" height x 36" diameter
Date:
2021
Description:
This vessel is created to represent Spain. Spain introduced lace to the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. Currently there is a museum in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico dedicated to the creations of lace. Monserrate Rivera was my great grandmother, a very strong proud brown faced woman. Her daily job was to cook and feed the men who came to work the sugar cane fields. Monserrate means mountain tops and is a name traced back to Spain.
Medium & Materials:
thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay - fired to cone 03 Black low fire glaze from the clay studio
Measurements:
19" height x 34" diameter
Date:
2021
Description:
TAINA YUIZA - created in HONOR of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. The TAINOS. Tainos were a beautifully peaceful tribe who appreciated and loved their island. The Tainos did not have our current common alphabets and used images to communicate. Carved into the clay, this vessel has 4 different Taino symbols. The Chiefs to the tribes were usually men, Yuiza is the only female noted as a Chief.
Medium & Materials:
6 individual pieces thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay - fire to cone 03 Black low fire glaze from the clay studio
Measurements:
19" hieight x 35" diameter
Date:
2021
Description:
LA CLAVE - is the BEAT that keeps our SALSA music in rhythm.
TAINA YUIZA was created in HONOR of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. The TAINOS. Tainos were a beautifully peaceful tribe who appreciated and loved their island. The Tainos did not have our current common alphabets and used images to communicate. Carved into the clay, this vessel has 4 different Taino symbols. The Chiefs to the tribes were usually men, Yuiza is the only female noted as a Chief.
LOIZA BROWN represents Africa and the slaves brought over to Puerto Rico. Loiza, Puerto Rico has the largest concentration of people traced back to Africa living on the island. My family is from Loiza, Puerto Rico and our last name is BROWN. Only one family in Puerto Rico with our last name.
MONSERRATE RIVERA represent Spain. Spain introduced lace to the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. There is a museum in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico dedicated to the creations of lace. Monserrate Rivera was my great grandmother, a very strong proud brown faced woman. Her daily job was to cook and feed the men who came to work the sugar cane fields. Monserrate means mountain tops and is a name traced back to Spain.
LA CLAVE - is the BEAT that keeps our SALSA music in rhythm.
Stay up to date on all things Clay Studio with announcements, invitations and news delivered straight to your inbox.