César Alfredo Lucano Siordia began his current career working with clay when he started making clay puppets for his nephews. Having abandoned video games, Cesar found a way to express his creativity in clay and papier-mâché. He is primarily self-taught and his grandfather, a petatillo pottery artisan, passed away when he was very young. Cesar worked diligently for an entire year to slowly learn how to work with clay and began making masks, puppets, or whatever came to mind as he researched and learned techniques from all over Mexico.

He was saddened to see how artisanal techniques have been lost, which inspired him to continue working with clay. Single-handedly Cesar designs, creates, and paints his own figures. His paper mache Catrina cyclist won a sculpture contest in Tlaquepaque during the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. Named "Maria la Ciclista", the Catrina rides her blue racing bicycle in a yellow uniform with Huichol earrings and a helmet decorated with diamonds. She was also awarded First Place in the 6th National Mexican Folk Toy Contest of 2017.

Although he enjoys working with paper maché, César devotes most of his time to his work and continuing his education in the art of clay, mainly making puppets and piggy banks. He uses traditional methods with a touch of innovation by mixing techniques, such as a puppet made of clay painted with acrylic paint or oil paint. He also uses polychrome with beeswax or lacquer and adds designs with horsehair, bone, or whatever the piece "tells" him it needs.

Calle 5 de Mayo # 294-B

Col San Pedro

Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

331 578 0575 casa; 33-31-07-55-04 cell

alebrijarte@hotmail.com