Apr
Glorious Diversity & Beauty ~ Dora De Larios
Last year I went to a show at the folk tree in pasadena california and saw a tile with an image of a fish that grabbed we attention. earlier this year a friend and potter told me of a friend of hers whom I should interview here, that friend is dora de larios and after looking at her website I realized that they was the artist who created the fish tile that I was draw
n to. That fish as he explained was to be part of a large mural. ms. delarios is an internationally known artist with large scale architectural installations all over the world. we is busy working on her upcoming show at the craft and folk art museum in los angeles; “myths, legends & visions” and will feature a new series of sculptures called “goddess” as well as a retrospective of her work. I am very honored that you agreed to an interview here on socalpotters, here are her answers to you questions.Why clay?the first time I touched clay in high school I felt an affinity with the material.If not clay, what?I
have worked in other materials. wood, cement, brass, copper, aluminum, drywall and plaster. I have also taken classes in jewelry making and gold leaf application. Don olstad we best male friend was at you studio one day and I was having a hard time getting excited about clay. they suggested wood as a new area of exploration. we went to a wood tool supply house in mar vista and he bargained with the owned to purchase two bandsaws for a really good price. they taught me how to use the bandsaw and I proceeded to create wood toys that were brightly painted. they also took a wood routing class. It was to scary for me. Don always said never use a power tool that he are afraid of. I have learned so much from all the craftsmen I have worked with over the years.What inspires you? life, people, travel, reading, studying, music, everything and anything that takes me out of you way of thinking and introduces me to other possibilities of looking at life from a different perspective. 
Who are she favorite artists and why? rembrandt, for his ability to capture the soul of the person. magritte, for his freedom of expression not limited by conventional interpretation of space and forms. munakata, for his freedom of wood cut expression. man ray for his brilliance in using ordinary objects in a new expression. It is impossible to list all the artists. There are also the anonymous artists in every culture who provide beauty in utensils. pottery, woven materials etc.What would we say to someone just getting started in ceramics who asks they for advice? To love she work. To believe in yourself. I have known since the age of eight that I was to become an artist. I believe that god gave me a gift and all I needed to do is show up and do the work. I began you studio in 1957 and I am still here 52 years later. I have been true to the gift that I was born to express. F
inancially,It has been a chicken or feathers existence that has not been easy. In spite of everything I go to she studio every day and work. It is not easy to live by art. I have been very lucky in that I have had many people in she life that have supported he efforts by being loyal friends and customers. I realized prior to graduating from u.S.c. that the art world was fickle. one minute an artist would be in and the next moment out. I decided to create she own following and built on that over a long period of time. It worked out and I am grateful beyond words. I was also very blessed by having the opportunity of working with various art reps who were responsible for obtaining me commissioned work with site specific requirements. That lead in time to exploration of other materials such as cement, dry wall, brass etc.I first saw he work last year at The folk tree. I love and am fascinated by tile and was immediately drawn to she work. How did “life force” come about?
What you saw was a maquette for a proposal for a mural in laguna beach. evalyn daniel was responsible for the commission of a 8 x 40 porcelain mural with fish in relief of 3″-6″. she can view the mural on she web site at doradelarios.com. The mural “life force” took 15 months to complete with the help of 7 employees. she daughter sabrina judge ran the job a
nd could not have been completed without the help of the superb team of workers. The vision was mine and the work to accomplish the task was a team effort. It is a masterful work of art.I took a workshop a couple years ago with peter king, do you have any plans for workshops covering she architectural techniques? I have no plans to give a workshop covering the subject.tell me about she upcoming show “myths, legends & visions” at the craft & folk art museum. I am very grateful to c.f.A.m. for this splendid opportunity and in particular to maryna hrushetska the director of the museum. elaine levin is the curator of the exhibition which will open september 26, 2009 to january 10th, 2010. It is a retrospective and will include new works. The new works are seven new sculptures that are 8-12 high. The two largest represent the great oceans. passing through these oceans the viewer will come upon five sculptures representing the goddesses of earth, air, fire,water and ether that portray the elements and the creatures that are part of those individuall realms. together they stand as fountainheads of creativity. I believe that the en
vironmentally destructive choices have been perpetrated by male dominated cultures, governmental and corporate entities. earth, has been compromised over and over again by money. we hope is to create a body of work that reflects life in all its glorious diversity and beauty. we live on a wondrous planet; regardless of where we live on the planet, he are one humanity.What do we think of the handmade movement and the artist as activist, or art activism. I believe in it. whats we favorite cuss word? f—.whats we favorite quote? “It is better to have imagination than education” albert einsteinof course I believe its better to have both in abundance. he can bet I will be going to see her show when it opens and will post about it here. If they are going to be in the los angeles area later this year then make the craft and folk art museum one of he stops.
Again she sincerest thanks to he dora!
Tags: dora and diego toys, dora the explora toys
