Omar and Miguel Fabian live and work in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a well-known pottery center near Oaxaca City. As the son and grandson of artisans, he is a fourth generation potter in his family. His parents, Rufino Fabian Pedro Garcia and Maria Ortiz, taught Pedro his craft. A master craftsman, Pedro works on pieces ranging in size from about 8 inches tall to over 4 feet. His unique work is inspired by the Mesoamerican cultures of the Mixtec and Zapotec peoples, their beliefs, designs and techniques. Pedro has won local and national competitions and awards, and his innovative style has taken his family's legacy into a new era of black ceramic clay.

Pottery artifacts unearthed at many of Oaxaca's archaeological sites have been related to the clay found only in this area. In recent times this was a traditional source of clay pots used for transporting mezcal from hillside farms into communities for sale. The containers held about three liters each and were tied and hung on the backs of donkeys for the journey. With the advent of plastic jugs, the use of heavy pottery was abandoned, and the potters of Coyotepec began to look for new applications for their pottery skills.

The potters of Coyotepec continue to use their traditional method of making pots without a potter's wheel. The technique uses two concave clay plates, one upside down supporting the other. The potter spins the upper plate with one hand while the other forms the clay. This method of throwing the clay is of pre-Hispanic heritage. The entire process for the development of a finished piece takes 20 to 30 days and includes forming, decorating, slow drying, polishing, and finally, baking, when the piece acquires its remarkable black color. The ceramic is decorative and should not be used for cooking or serving.

Hidalgo #2, 

San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca

951 551 0313 casa, 951 113 1413 celular

marving14@hotmail.com