Carlos and Abdón Punzo Chávez: Forging Elegance and Passing the Torch
Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán

Tucked into the highlands of Michoacán, the town of Santa Clara del Cobre hums with a sound that has echoed for centuries: hammer against copper, fire breathing life into metal. Here, in the very heart of Mexico’s copperworking tradition, Carlos Punzo Chávez and his brother Abdón Punzo Chávez have emerged as two of the region’s most celebrated artists—craftsmen who not
only shape extraordinary vessels from flame and strength, but also shape the future of their community through teaching and mentorship.

They were born into a lineage of master coppersmiths. Their father, Abdón Punzo, was a master artisan whose skill and dedication earned him multiple national and state awards. He passed down the craft to his sons through hands-on instruction in the family workshop, instilling in them the discipline, precision, and creative vision that define Santa Clara’s renowned copperwork.
Alongside their brothers Felipe and Marcos—also master artisans with decorated careers—the Punzo family represents one of the most respected artisan lineages in Mexico. All four brothers are featured in the Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art (Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano), a testament to their collective legacy.
Over the years, each of the Punzo brothers has developed a distinctive artistic voice—Carlos, with his refined forms and balanced surfaces, and Abdón, with expressive, daring pieces that push the material into new territory. Their work includes plates, vases, ceremonial pieces, jewelry, and decorative objects, often blending copper and silver in unique, visually arresting combinations. They use time-honored techniques such as repoussé, engraving, and oxidation, alongside modern forms and personal touches. Every piece is handmade, and every dent from the hammer speaks to the human story embedded in the object.
But what truly distinguishes Carlos and Abdón is not just their artistry, but their commitment to passing it on.
Both brothers are deeply involved in teaching and community outreach, offering workshops to young people and apprentices from Santa Clara and neighboring towns. Their workshops cover not only technique—how to heat, hammer, and finish the copper—but also the values of patience, respect, and creativity that the tradition requires. They are also active participants in cultural festivals, artisan collectives, and local educational initiatives, working to ensure that the heritage of Santa Clara del Cobre is not only preserved, but continually renewed.
For them, art is inseparable from community and identity. Their teaching is not just a side project —it is central to their practice. In their view, every child who learns to hold a hammer is another heartbeat in the legacy of their ancestors. They open their workshops to curious visitors, school groups, and emerging artisans, creating a space where knowledge flows freely and the town’s collective memory remains alive.

Their work has been widely recognized, with awards from the Gran Premio Nacional de Arte Popular and appearances in galleries and exhibitions across Mexico and abroad. Yet despite
their accolades, they remain rooted in Santa Clara, continuing to work with the same tools and fire that generations before them used.

In the hands of Carlos and Abdón Punzo Chávez, copper becomes more than a medium—it becomes a story passed from hand to hand, generation to generation. Through their artistry and teaching, they ensure that the warmth of their craft will burn long into the future.

Feria Maestros del Arte 2025

ARTIST INFORMATION

Av Morelos #449, Salvador Escalante,

Santa Clara, Michoacán 61800

cel 43 4106 3710 tel 434 1200 500 abdon_punzo@hotmail.com