olmec masks

With eyes closed, a man seems to sleep peacefully. Oscar Rodolfo Mendoza works in ceramic to create a replica of the funeral masks used by the ancient Maya. Hieroglyphs painted by hand tell the story of the fallen personage, usually with numbers to indicate dates. Modern artisans utilize the same materials and techniques as in pre-Hispanic times, achieving the red, yellow and orange colors from annatto seeds.

Elisa Camarena molds a green mortuary mask with distinct Olmec stylizations. Dating back to 1500, the Olmeca is regarded as the first major civilization in Mexico and their art work is renowned for enormous heads. This green sculpture includes a pinewood base.

Eufrosia Pantaleon is inspired by the legendary Olmec heads in the design of this mask. Believed to represent governors, the original gigantic heads are carved from stone. Pantaleon reinterprets these archeological treasures with this ceramic mask. She paints the blue, green, red, orange, pink and beige mask with extraordinary detail in celebration of Mexico's flora and fauna.

Eufrosia Pantaleon is inspired by the legendary Olmec heads in the design of this mask. Believed to represent governors, the original gigantic heads are carved from stone. Pantaleon reinterprets these archeological treasures with this ceramic mask. She paints the blue, golden yellow, red and beige mask with extraordinary detail in celebration of Mexico's flora and fauna.

Similar to the legendary Olmeca head, this blue mask celebrates Mexico's unique flora and fauna. Eufrosia Pantaleon paints elegant peacocks on the cheeks and head while flowers blossom on the nose of this ceramic wall mask.

Similar to the legendary Olmeca head, this colorful mask celebrates Mexico's unique flora and fauna. Eufrosia Pantaleon paints elegant peacocks on the cheeks and head while flowers blossom on the nose and temples of this ceramic wall mask.

"Proud of my Mexican roots, I designed this series of 10 coloring postcards featuring the masks of fantastical animals and other creatures. They are inspired by the many clay, paper and wood masks found throughout Mexican artistry," explains Alejandra Aceves. She includes 10 original and different coloring masks inspired by Mexico's millenary cultures including those of Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, and Huichol origin, as well as others from traditional feasts, such as Day of the Dead skulls.

The set of 10 postcards arrives in an acrylic box with information about Aceves' project. Inspired by the illness she lives with, she realized that the symptoms diminished when she concentrated on drawing. Her wish is for others to enjoy being able to relax while coloring her postcards.

As the sun assumes the body of a condor, it sheds light on a collection of Inca glyphs. Transformed into a mask, the image is one of spiritual mystery. Alberto Aparicio Canchari handcrafts this mask from ceramic, which he then fires in a wood-powered kiln. Once the mask has cooled, Aparicio paints the geometric stylizations that are unique to the Inca.