María del Rosario Jimón Barba belongs to the fifth generation of a legacy of potters dedicated to the elaboration of barro bandera (flag clay) and barro bruñido (burnished clay) pieces. Her great-great-grandfather Macario was the first to dedicate himself to this noble tradition, followed by her great grandfather Anestesio, her grandfather Zacarías and her father Agustín, who left a deep mark in the popular art.

She was born on December 3, 1960 in Tonalá, Jalisco, in the bosom of one of the families with more decades dedicated to artisan creation in the municipality. She is the daughter of Agustín Jimón and María Concepción Barba. From the age of 13, she began to help her mother in the elaboration of molds, learning to develop her own pieces under the guidance and inspiration of her mother, who was her teacher and model to follow.

From a very young age, she began to get involved in the craft by helping her mother to smooth the pieces of clay that she made. This first approach marked the beginning of a life dedicated to Mexican folk art.

The technique that distinguishes the Jimón family includes barro bandera, barro bruñido, and currently polychromido. However, Rosario found her true passion and specialty in miniatures, an artistic expression that has brought her recognition and awards throughout her career. Among her most significant awards, she received an award in Tlaquepaque, a place with a great ceramic tradition that she deeply values.

Rosario inherited her passion for miniatures from her mother, who learned this art from her grandfather Zacarías. Although her mother did not come from a family of artisans, when she married she integrated fully into the craft and passed on her love for miniature ceramics to Rosario.

During her adolescence, Rosario learned to combine her school and domestic responsibilities with the craft. She helped in the kitchen and other chores before attending classes, developing a work ethic that she has applied throughout her life. Even when her children were young, Rosario continued to work, showing her dedication and love for ceramics until the last day before giving birth.

At the age of 23, María del Rosario began to participate in popular art contests, winning several awards, recognitions and respect within the artisan guild. Her talent led her to be invited to participate in multiple exhibitions and fairs, both national and international, where she has had the opportunity to bring a little piece of Mexico to the world through her miniature ceramic pieces.

She is the mother of five children, to whom she has transmitted the knowledge and love for craftsmanship, seeking to motivate them, as her mother did with her, so that this tradition is not lost.

For Master Artisan Rosario Jimón, the craft is not only a source of livelihood, but a way of life that allows her to express her identity, preserve her family legacy and share a little piece of Mexico with the world. Her work is testimony to the cultural and artisanal richness of Tonalá, and her commitment ensures that this tradition will live on in future generations.

The Barro Bandera and Barro Miniatura of Tonalá

The Barro Bandera and the Barro Miniatura represent a unique manifestation of Mexican folk art, whose elaboration has deep cultural roots in Tonalá, Jalisco. These techniques, inherited and perfected over generations, symbolize the intrinsic connection between local identity, craftsmanship and the transmission of community knowledge.

Cultural Context and Meaning of the Barro Bandera

The Barro Bandera, or mud flag, is distinguished by its symbolic decoration, characterized by colored stripes that evoke the Mexican flag: green, white and red. This design not only represents an act of creativity, but also highlights a deep sense of belonging and national identity. Its production implies a technical mastery that goes from modeling and baking to the application of mineral pigments of natural origin, a reflection of the traditional knowledge transmitted orally.

Miniature Clay as a Narrative of the Everyday

Miniature clay is a unique expression of the Tonaltec worldview. These pieces, of tiny dimensions, are detailed representations of everyday scenes, festivities, animals and popular characters. Beyond their decorative character, these works encapsulate cultural microcosms that tell stories of the social environment, reinforce community values and preserve traditions in an accessible and collectible format.

The Jimón Family and Master Rosario Jimón Barba

Within this context, the Jimón family stands as one of the pillars in the perpetuation of these techniques. Led by Master Rosario Jimón Barba, heir and guardian of this legacy, this family has managed to preserve and disseminate the art of flag and miniature clay, facing challenges such as globalization and industrial competition. Rosario has combined the ancestral learning
with her own creativity to innovate within the traditional canons, achieving
that these pieces acquire national and international recognition. From a
sociological perspective, the work of the Jimón family not only reflects the
cultural resistance against global homogenization, but also highlights the role of popular art in the construction of local identities. The clay flag and
miniature pieces are not only aesthetic objects , but also symbols of the
struggle for the preservation of a heritage that connects the past with the
present. Likewise, these creations reflect the importance of collaborative work
within the family nuclei and its impact on the economy and social fabric of
Tonalá.

The legacy of the master Rosario Jimón Barba and her family not only transcends as an artisan practice , but also as an act of cultural resistance and a reaffirmation of the Tonalá identity, that endures through time thanks to her dedication and mastery in the art of clay.

Text and research:

Maestra Sarai Tapia

Mujer Artesana
/ Artisan Woman

ARTIST INFORMATION

Martha 83, Centro,

Tonalá, Jalisco, 45400  

cel 33 2563 8498  

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